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Synthesis, characterization, and cytocompatibility of yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowders for creating a window to the brain
Author(s) -
Rutherford Dana,
Exarhos Stephen,
Xu Changlu,
Niacaris Matt,
Mariano Crystal,
Dayap Bryce,
Mangolini Lorenzo,
Liu Huinan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part b: applied biomaterials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.665
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1552-4981
pISSN - 1552-4973
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.b.34445
Subject(s) - yttria stabilized zirconia , cubic zirconia , materials science , biomedical engineering , nanoparticle , mesenchymal stem cell , nanotechnology , composite material , pathology , medicine , ceramic
Abstract Transparent cranial window to the brain is highly desirable for brain therapies because such cranial implant would allow for continuous monitoring of brain disorders and long‐term delivery of photodynamic therapy into the brain without repeated surgeries for opening skull. Nanostructured yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is a potential candidate for the window to the brain application because of its promising mechanical and optical properties. In this study, a new process using aerosol spray pyrolysis was established for synthesizing 6–7 nm YSZ nanopowders with precisely controlled compositions. YSZ nanopowders with 3 M ratios of yttria to zirconia, specifically 3, 6, and 8% yttria in zirconia (referred to as 3YSZ, 6YSZ, and 8YSZ, respectively) were synthesized and characterized. The size, structure, and composition of the produced YSZ nanoparticles are highly controllable and scalable. The in vitro cytocompatibility of the YSZ nanoparticles with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was investigated using a direct exposure culture method for cranial implant applications. Nondoped ZrO 2 and commercially available 8YSZ (named as C_8YSZ) served as controls for the in vitro cell studies. BMSCs exhibited normal morphology when cultured with the YSZs of 3 M ratios in the concentrations of 10 mM, 30 mM, and 60 mM, as well as ZrO 2 and C_8YSZ controls. The BMSCs cultured with 3YSZ and 6YSZ showed no statistical differences in cell adhesion density when compared with the ZrO 2 and C_8YSZ controls at respective concentrations of 10–60 mM. The possible release of YSZ nanoparticles from cranial window implants should be carefully considered and further studied.