Preparation and characterization of electrical conductive PVA based materials for peripheral nerve tube-guides

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2016

Authors

Goncalves, C (Author) Other; Ribeiro, J (Author) Other; Pereira, T (Author) Other; luis, al (Author) ICBAS; Mauricio, AC (Author) ICBAS; Santos, JD (Author) FEUP; Lopes, MA (Author) FEUP

Journal

Title: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A

Vol. 104

Pages: 1981-1987

ISSN: 1549-3296

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 7 Citations

Scopus - 7 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00K-NMB

DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.35730

Abstract (EN): Peripheral nerve regeneration is a serious clinical problem. Presently, there are several nerve tube-guides available in the market, however with some limitations. The goal of this work was the development of a biomaterial with high electrical conductivity to produce tube-guides for nerve regeneration after neurotmesis injuries whenrver an end-to-end suture without tension is not possible. A matrix of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used loaded with the following electrical conductive materials: COOH-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), poly(pyrrole) (PPy), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and silver nitrate (AgNO3). The tube-guide production was carried out by a freezing/thawing process (physical crosslinking) with a final annealing treatment. After producing the tube-guide for nerve regeneration, the physicochemical characterization was performed. The most interesting results were achieved by loading PVA with 0.05% of PPy or COOH- functionalized CNTs. These tubes combined the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and PPy with the biocompatibility of PVA matrix, with potential clinical application for nerve regeneration. (c) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 104A: 1981-1987, 2016.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7