This study describes the preparation, and evaluates the biocompatibility, of hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (fCNTs) functionalized with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) creating hybrid nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were used for preparing a composite porous poly(ε-caprolactone) scaffolds for potential utilization in regenerative medicine. Hybrid fCNT/ION nanoparticles were prepared in two mass ratios - 1:1 (H1) and 1:4 (H4). PCL scaffolds were prepared with various concentrations of the nanoparticles with fixed mass either of the whole nanoparticle hybrid or only of the fCNTs. The hybrid particles were evaluated in terms of morphology, composition and magnetic properties. The cytotoxicity of the hybrid nanoparticles and the pure fCNTs was assessed by exposing the SAOS-2 human cell line to colloids with a concentration range from 0.01 to 1 mg/ml. The results indicate a gradual increase in the cytotoxicity effect with increasing concentration. At low concentrations, interestingly, SAOS-2 metabolic activity was stimulated by the presence of IONs. The PCL scaffolds were characterized in terms of the scaffold architecture, the dispersion of the nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, and subsequently in terms of their thermal, mechanical and magnetic properties. A higher ION content was associated with the presence of larger agglomerates of particles. With exception of the scaffold with the highest content of the H4 nanoparticle hybrid, all composites were superparamagnetic. In vitro tests indicate that both components of the hybrid nanoparticles may have a positive impact on the behavior of SAOS-2 cells cultivated on the PCL composite scaffolds. The presence of fCNTs up to 1 wt% improved the cell attachment to the scaffolds, and a content of IONs below 1 wt% increased the cell metabolic activity.

AGH University of Science and Technology Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics Mickiewicza 30 30 059 Krakow Poland

AGH University of Science and Technology Faculty of Physics and Applied Computer Science Mickiewicza 30 30 59 Krakow Poland

Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry Czech Academy of Sciences Heyrovského nám 2 162 06 Prague Czech Republic; AGH University of Science and Technology Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics Mickiewicza 30 30 059 Krakow Poland

Institute of Physiology Czech Academy of Sciences Vídeňská 1083 142 20 Prague Czech Republic

References provided by Crossref.org

Two-step single-reactor synthesis of oleic acid- or undecylenic acid-stabilized magnetic nanoparticles by thermal decomposition

Magnetic Temperature-Sensitive Solid-Lipid Particles for Targeting and Killing Tumor Cells