The effect of SWCNT and nano‐diamond films on human osteoblast cells

Human osteoblasts (SAOS‐2) are cultured on single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) and nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films in order to evaluate their potential for biological application. We present dependence of metabolic activity and morphology of osteoblasts on (i) material substrate (NCD or SWCNT films), (ii) surface termination – O‐termination causing hydrophilic surface and H‐termination (as deposited NCDs) causing hydrophobic surface, (iii) surface roughness in the range of 11–39 nm RMS and (iv) SWCNT production technique – laser ablation, arc‐discharge and HiPco. The metabolic activity decreases to the same non‐toxic level on SWCNT films produced by different techniques as well as on H‐terminated NCD compared to tissue culture polystyrene. The metabolic activity is increasing on O‐terminated NCD films as a function of their roughness. Morphological observations support superior properties of O‐terminated NCD films. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)