Specific Features of Structure, Electrical Conductivity and Interlayer Adhesion of the Natural Polymer Matrix from the Layers of Branched Carbon Nanotube Networks Filled with Albumin, Collagen and Chitosan

Abstract

This paper considers the problem of creating a conductive matrix with a framework made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for cell and tissue engineering. In silico investigation of the electrical conductivity of the framework formed by T-junctions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) (12, 12) with a diameter of 1.5 nm has been carried out. A numerical evaluation of the contact resistance and electrical conductivity of seamless and suture T-junctions of SWCNTs is given. The effect of the type of structural defects in the contact area of the tubes on the contact resistance of the T-junction of SWCNTs was revealed. A coarse-grained model of a branched SWCNT network with different structure densities is constructed and its electrical conductivity is calculated. A new layered bioconstruction is proposed, the layers of which are formed by natural polymer matrixes: CNT-collagen, CNT-albumin and CNT-chitosan. The energy stability of the layered natural polymer matrix has been analyzed, and the adhesion of various layers to each other has been calculated. Based on the obtained results, a new approach has been developed in the formation of 3D electrically conductive bioengineering structures for the restoration of cell activity.

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

“…Earlier, we studied the regularities of formation of protein–polymer matrices based on a network of SWCNTs, albumin, collagen, and chitosan [34]. In this paper, we study the regularities of formation of a layered protein–polymer matrix of three layers, including CNT-albumin, CNT-collagen, and CNT-chitosan layers.…”

“…In this paper, we study the regularities of formation of a layered protein–polymer matrix of three layers, including CNT-albumin, CNT-collagen, and CNT-chitosan layers. For this, as in the previous study [34], we used the coarse-grained modeling method. Coarse-grained models of individual matrix layers are shown in Figure 4.…”

“…Another relevant direction of a study of the properties and applications of 3D nanomaterial in the form of a branched network of MWCNTs and SWCNTs is the use of these materials for the subsequent creation of protein and polymer matrices on their basis. Such matrices are already actively synthesized and in demand in various fields of biomedicine [33,34], including in the field of tissue engineering [34]. It has already been proven that these matrices are biocompatible, but it is not yet known how exactly such matrices contact cell membranes and what effect they have on them.…”

Growth, Properties, and Applications of Branched Carbon Nanostructures

“…Further studies demonstrated the importance of the type of structural defects in the contact area of b-SWCNTs on the contact resistance of the T-junction of SWCNTs in the resulting electrical conductivity of the final network [42]. A layered design was proposed using natural polymer matrices, i.e., collagen, albumin, or chitosan, connected via the b-CNTs to provide an electrically conductive network to assist cells in their mutual reconnection during the regenerative process [42].…”