Reduced Graphene Oxide-Encapsulated Microfiber Patterns Enable Controllable Formation of Neuronal-Like Networks

Juan Wang, Haoyu Wang, Xiumei Mo, Hongjun Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Scaffold-guided formation of neuronal-like networks, especially under electrical stimulation, can be an appealing avenue toward functional restoration of injured nervous systems. Here, 3D conductive scaffolds are fabricated based on printed microfiber constructs using near-field electrostatic printing (NFEP) and graphene oxide (GO) coating. Various microfiber patterns are obtained from poly(l-lactic acid-co-caprolactone) (PLCL) using NFEP and complexity is achieved via modulating the fiber overlay angles (45°, 60°, 75°, 90°), fiber diameters (15 to 148 µm), and fiber spatial organization (spider web and tubular structure). Upon coating GO onto PLCL microfibers via a layer-by-layer (L-b-L) assembly technique and in situ reduction into reduced GO (rGO), the obtained conductive scaffolds, with 25–50 layers of rGO, demonstrate superior conductivity (≈0.95 S cm−1) and capability of inducing neuronal-like network formation along the conductive microfibers under electrical stimulation (100–150 mV cm−1). Both electric field (0–150 mV cm−1) and microfiber diameter (17–150 µm) affect neurite outgrowth (PC-12 cells and primary mouse hippocampal neurons) and the formation of orientated neuronal-like networks. With further demonstration of such guidance to neuronal cells, these conductive scaffolds may see versatile applications in nerve regeneration and neural engineering.

Original languageEnglish
Article number2004555
JournalAdvanced Materials
Volume32
Issue number40
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Oct 2020

Keywords

  • conductive micropatterns
  • electrical stimulation
  • graphene oxide
  • microfibers
  • neuronal-like networks

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