Abstract
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have unique physical properties, of value in biomedical applications; however, their dispersion and functionalization represent a critical challenge in their successful employment as biomaterials. In the present study, we report a process for the efficient disentanglement of BNNTs via a dual surfactant polydopamine (PD) process. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) indicated that individual BNNTs become coated with a uniform PD nanocoating, which significantly enhanced dispersion of BNNTs in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of PD-coated BNNTs was assessed in vitro with cultured human osteoblasts (HOBs) at concentrations of 1, 10, and 30 mug mL and over three time-points (24, 48, and 72 h). In this study it was demonstrated that PD-functionalized BNNTs become individually localized within the cytoplasm by endosomal escape and that concentrations of up to 30 mug mL of PD-BNNTs were cytocompatible in HOBs cells following 72 h of exposure.Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have unique physical properties, of value in biomedical applications; however, their dispersion and functionalization represent a critical challenge in their successful employment as biomaterials. In the present study, we report a process for the efficient disentanglement of BNNTs via a dual surfactant polydopamine (PD) process. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) indicated that individual BNNTs become coated with a uniform PD nanocoating, which significantly enhanced dispersion of BNNTs in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility of PD-coated BNNTs was assessed in vitro with cultured human osteoblasts (HOBs) at concentrations of 1, 10, and 30 mug mL and over three time-points (24, 48, and 72 h). In this study it was demonstrated that PD-functionalized BNNTs become individually localized within the cytoplasm by endosomal escape and that concentrations of up to 30 mug mL of PD-BNNTs were cytocompatible in HOBs cells following 72 h of exposure.
| Original language | English (Ireland) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Bioconjug Chembioconjug Chem |
| Volume | 26 |
| Issue number | 1010 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2015 |
Authors (Note for portal: view the doc link for the full list of authors)
- Authors
- Fernandez-Yague, M. A.,Larranaga, A.,Gladkovskaya, O.,Stanley, A.,Tadayyon, G.,Guo, Y.,Sarasua, J. R.,Tofail, S. A.,Zeugolis, D. I.,Pandit, A.,Biggs, M. J.