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. 2019 Sep 27;20(19):4802.
doi: 10.3390/ijms20194802.

Fabrication of Surfactant-Dispersed HiPco Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Alginate Hydrogel Composites as Cellular Products

Fabian Alvarez-Primo  1   2 , Shweta Anil Kumar  3   4 , Felicia S Manciu  5   6 , Binata Joddar  7   8   9
Affiliations

Fabrication of Surfactant-Dispersed HiPco Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Based Alginate Hydrogel Composites as Cellular Products

Fabian Alvarez-Primo et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

In this study, we designed, synthesized, and characterized ultrahigh purity single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)-alginate hydrogel composites. Among the parameters of importance in the formation of an alginate-based hydrogel composite with single-walled carbon nanotubes, are their varying degrees of purity, their particulate agglomeration and their dose-dependent correlation to cell viability, all of which have an impact on the resultant composite's efficiency and effectiveness towards cell-therapy. To promote their homogenous dispersion by preventing agglomeration of the SWCNT, three different surfactants-sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS-anionic), cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-cationic), and Pluronic F108 (nonionic)-were utilized. After mixing of the SWCNT-surfactant with alginate, the mixtures were cross-linked using divalent calcium ions and characterized using Raman spectroscopy. Rheometric analysis showed an increase in complex viscosity, loss, and storage moduli of the SWCNT composite gels in comparison with pure alginate gels. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of a well-distributed porous structure, and all SWCNT-gel composites depicted enhanced electrical conductivity with respect to alginate gels. To characterize their biocompatibility, cardiomyocytes were cultured atop these SWCNT-gels. Results comprehensively implied that Pluronic F108 was most efficient in preventing agglomeration of the SWCNTs in the alginate matrix, leading to a stable scaffold formation without posing any toxicity to the cells.

Keywords: anionic; biocompatible; cationic; composites; dispersion; steric; surfactants.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Raman spectra of (A) single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) functionalized with different surfactants, (B) SWCNT-surfactant gel composites, and (C) alginate hydrogel, as labeled. For easier visualization, the Raman spectra in (A) and (B) are vertically translated.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence spectra of different surfactant/SWCNT-based hydrogels.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Rheological properties of different surfactant/SWCNT-based hydrogels. * indicates statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in comparison with controls. Only the CTAB samples appeared to have significantly increased values for elastic modulus and complex viscosity in comparison with controls, as shown in panels (B) and (C). All SWCNT-el samples depicted a significant increase in Storage and Loss Moduli, in comparison with controls (A).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Conductivity values of different surfactant/SWCNT-based hydrogels. * indicates statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) for non-cross-linked (*1) and cross-linked samples (*2) of PF108, in comparison with controls.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Characteristic SEM images (A) and average pore size distribution (B) of different surfactant/SWCNT-based hydrogels.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Swelling analysis of different surfactant/SWCNT-based hydrogels. * indicates statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in comparison with controls.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Representative live-dead assay stained images of cells cultured in SWCNT-PF108 composites (right) and pristine alginate gels (left).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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