Interfacial Interactions of Zero Dimentional Carbon Nanotubes and Their Applications As Thin Films: A Potential Platform for Cell Growth

Amongst their many unique properties, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) have specific limitations, including non-uniformity in length, frequent defect sites, and low dispersibility in solution. To overcome these limitations, researchers at the Little Lab developed “zero dimensional” single-walled carbon nanotubes (0dSWNT), less than 10 nm in length and much more dispersible in solution.

The aim of this research was to create a more usable form of 0dSWNT by creating thin films using the concept of interfacial film climbing in an oil/water emulsion. Using a heptane/water emulsion, the film-climbing property of the SWNT and 0dSWNT was video-recorded for verification. A pendant drop experiment with nanotubes dispersed in water was used to determine whether a reduction of interfacial tension contributes to film-climbing. Next, thin films of SWNT and 0dSWNT were made on glass slides and coverslips by this technique. As a potential application, SWNT and 0dSWNT thin films on coverslips were used as a substrate for hMSC growth and potential differentiation towards a neuronal lineage. After three days of culture, cell growth was dense, and the samples were fixed and stained. Ultimately the thin, uniform films created by the film-climbing technique proved to be an effective substrate for the cells.