Protein-Polymer Matrices with Embedded Carbon Nanotubes for Tissue Engineering: Regularities of Formation and Features of Interaction with Cell Membranes

• Published in: Materials Vol. 12; no. 19; p. 3083
• Main Authors: Slepchenkov, Michael M., Gerasimenko, Alexander Yu, Telyshev, Dmitry V., Glukhova, Olga E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 21.09.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Absorption; Albumins; Carbon; Cardiomyocytes; cell membrane; Cell membranes; Chitosan; Collagen; Computer simulation; Energy; laser radiation; Lasers; Methods; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; nanowelding; Point defects; Polymers; Proteins; protein–polymer matrices; Radiation; Single wall carbon nanotubes; single-walled carbon nanotubes; Tissue engineering; Vacancies
• ISSN: 1996-1944; 1996-1944
• DOI: 10.3390/ma12193083

This paper reveals the mechanism of nanowelding a branched network of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) used as a framework for the formation of protein–polymer matrices with albumin, collagen, and chitosan. It is shown that the introduction of certain point defects into the structure of SWCNTs (single vacancy, double vacancy, Stone–Wales defect, and a mixed defect) allows us to obtain strong heating in defective regions as compared to ideal SWCNTs. The wavelengths at which absorption reaches 50% are determined. Non-uniform absorption of laser radiation along with inefficient heat removal in defective regions determines the formation of hot spots, in which nanowelding of SWCNTs is observed even at 0.36 nm between contacting surfaces. The regularities of formation of layered protein–polymer matrices and the features of their interaction with cell membrane are revealed. All studies are carried out in silico using high-precision quantum approaches.