N+ implantation induce cytocompatibility of shape-controlled three-dimensional self-assembly graphene

Aim: The aim of the present research was to synthesize N+ implanted 3D self-assembly graphene (N+/3D-SGHs) to overcome the weaknesses of graphene (small sizes and poor hydrophilicity) in tissue engineering scaffolds. Materials & methods: N+/3D-SGHs was achieved by ion implantation on one-step hydrothermal synthesized 3D self-assembly graphene (3D-SGHs), and N+/3D-SGHs with different doses of nitrogen ions (1 × 1016 ions/cm2, 1 × 1018 ions/cm2 and 1 × 1020 ions/cm2), which adjusted by nitrogen ion beam intensity. Results: N+/3D-SGHs, as scaffolds, provide stereo space and hydrophilic groups for mouse-fibroblast cells (L929) growth and proliferation. Notably, N+/3D-SGHs with the N+ injected quantity of 1 × 1020 ions/cm2 displayed the highest protein-adhesion strength, cell viability and proliferation, which supported its good cytocompatibility. Conclusion: This study demonstrated N+/3D-SGHs as a promising and effective tissue scaffold that might have applications in biomedicine.