Differences in cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility between carbon nanotubes and nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes

The cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and N-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes grown on carbon papers by chemical vapor deposition were investigated. These materials were characterized using contact-angle measurements, cell- and platelet-adhesion assays, and hemolytic-rate testing, revealing significant effects of nitrogen doping in carbon nanotubes. The results showed that mouse fibroblast cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells cultured on N-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes displayed the higher cell-adhesion strength, viability, proliferation, and stretching than those on multiwalled carbon nanotubes without N doping and carbon paper, indicating that N-doped multiwalled carbon nanotubes possessed good cytocompatibility. No toxicity reactions were observed during the culturing period. It also displayed the lowest hemolytic rate. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.