Carbon nanotubes—mesoporous silica composites as controllable biomaterials

Abstract

A composite based on mesoporous ordered silica (SBA-15) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has been synthesized to be used in biomedical applications as a conductor composite for cell stimulation and regeneration. The influence of the CNT addition time on the SBA-15–CNTs composite synthesis has been studied and optimized attending to morphology and structure, to produce a homogeneous material with both structures preserved. With the addition of the CNTs, the electrical resistance has decreased 8 orders in magnitude in comparison to the SBA-15 itself. The potential of these materials to be used as bioimplants has been evaluated in vitro by soaking the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C.