Polyaniline Functionalized Graphene Nanoelectrodes for the Regeneration of PC12 Cells via Electrical Stimulation

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 20; no. 8; p. 2013
• Main Authors: Zheng, Zheng, Huang, Libin, Yan, Lu, Yuan, Feng, Wang, Lefeng, Wang, Ke, Lawson, Tom, Lin, Mimi, Liu, Yong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 24.04.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Ball milling; Biocompatibility; Clinical medicine; electrical stimulation; Electrical stimuli; Electrodes; Fourier transforms; Graphene; Graphite; Infrared spectroscopy; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Nervous system; Neurons; neuroregeneration; Nitrogen; PC12 cells; Pheochromocytoma cells; polyaniline; Polyanilines; Polymerization; Polymers; Regeneration; Saline solutions; Spectrum analysis; Vapor phases; Vibration; electrical stimulation; polyaniline; neuroregeneration; PC12 cells; graphene
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms20082013

The regeneration of neurons is an important goal of neuroscience and clinical medicine. The electrical stimulation of cells is a promising technique to meet this goal. However, its efficiency highly depends on the electrochemical properties of the stimulation electrodes used. This work reports on the preparation and use of a highly electroactive and biocompatible nanoelectrode made from a novel polyaniline functionalized graphene composite. This nanocomposite was prepared using a facile and efficient polymerization-enhanced ball-milling method. It was used to stimulate the growth of PC12 cells under various electrical fields. The enhanced growth of axons and improved wound regeneration of PC12 cells were observed after this treatment, suggesting a promising strategy for neuro traumatology.