Effects of O2 and N2/H2 plasma treatments on the neuronal cell growth on single-walled carbon nanotube paper scaffolds

• Published in: Applied surface science 2011-08, Vol.257 (20), p.8535-8541
• Main Authors: OK JA YOON, HYUN JUNG LEE, YEONG MI JANG, HYUN WOO KIM, WON BOK LEE, SUNG SU KIM, LEE, Nae-Eung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell adhesion; Cell cycle, cell proliferation; Cell physiology; Charging; Clusters, nanoparticles, and nanocrystalline materials; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; Functional groups; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Growth and division; Membranes; Molecular and cellular biology; Nanoscale materials: clusters, nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanocrystals; Neurotransmitters; Photoemission and photoelectron spectra; Physics; Single wall carbon nanotubes; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface roughness
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2011.05.009

The O2 and N2/H2 plasma treatments of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) papers as scaffolds for enhanced neuronal cell growth were conducted to functionalize their surfaces with different functional groups and to roughen their surfaces. To evaluate the effects of the surface roughness and functionalization modifications of the SWCNT papers, we investigated the neuronal morphology, mitochondrial membrane potential, and acetylcholine/acetylcholinesterase levels of human neuroblastoma during SH-SY5Y cell growth on the treated SWCNT papers. Our results demonstrated that the plasma-chemical functionalization caused changes in the surface charge states with functional groups with negative and positive charges and then the increased surface roughness enhanced neuronal cell adhesion, mitochondrial membrane potential, and the level of neurotransmitter in vitro. The cell adhesion and mitochondrial membrane potential on the negatively charged SWCNT papers were improved more than on the positively charged SWCNT papers. Also, measurements of the neurotransmitter level showed an enhanced acetylcholine level on the negatively charged SWCNT papers compared to the positively charged SWCNT papers.