Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), United States
Introduction: The integration of graphene-based nanocomposites with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) holds significant promise for enhancing cell-surface interactions in biomedical applications. This paper investigates the pivotal role of mechanical properties in graphene-PDMS nanocomposite structures and their potential to augment cell-surface interactions. Through a blend of experimental characterization and theoretical analysis, we delve into the mechanical behavior of these nanocomposites, focusing on how variations in graphene nanoparticle concentration, dispersion, and alignment impact their overall mechanical properties and structure. Our findings underscore the significance of these mechanical attributes in modulating cell interactions, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, thereby highlighting the potential of graphene-PDMS nanocomposites to create an optimal microenvironment for fostering enhanced cell-surface interactions.
Materials and
Methods: Through a combination of experimental characterization and theoretical analysis, the mechanical behavior and relative to the structure of graphene-PDMS nanocomposites is investigated, with a focus on how variations in graphene concentration, dispersion, and alignment influence the overall mechanical properties of the nanocomposites. Graphene-PDMS nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing graphene nanoparticles into PDMS using a unique mechanical mixing method - in situ shear exfoliation. The concentration, dispersion, and alignment of graphene nanoparticles were systematically varied to investigate their effects on structure and mechanical properties of the nanocomposite on disease and healthy breast cells. Experimental physicochemical and structural characterization of the Graphene-PDMS nanocomposite materials involved the use of FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the mechanical properties was characterize using the Instron mechanical tester and nanoindentation in the presence of theoretical analysis employed composite models. Cell interaction, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation were evaluated using cell culture assays on nanocomposite substrates. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess significance relative to the mechanical properties.
Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: Experimental characterization revealed that variations in graphene concentration, dispersion, and alignment significantly influenced the mechanical properties of graphene-PDMS nanocomposites. Higher graphene content and improved dispersion led to enhanced mechanical strength and stiffness. Cell culture assays demonstrated improved cell interaction, adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation on graphene-PDMS nanocomposite substrates compared to pure PDMS materials. Our findings underscore the critical role of mechanical properties in modulating cell-surface interactions in graphene-PDMS nanocomposites. By optimizing graphene concentration and dispersion, tailored nanocomposite structures can be designed to create an optimal microenvironment for promoting cell interaction, adhesion, and proliferation. These insights provide valuable guidance for the development of graphene-PDMS nanocomposites tailored for specific biomedical applications, including tissue engineering, and the development of implantable drug delivery biomedical devices for the localized treatment of breast cancer.
