• 文献标题:   Potential of Graphene-Polymer Composites for Ligament and Tendon Repair: A Review
  • 文献类型:   Review
  • 作  者:   PEIXOTO T, PAIVA MC, MARQUES AT, LOPES MA
  • 作者关键词:   biocompatibility biodegradability, composite scaffold, graphene, mechanical propertie, tendon ligament repair
  • 出版物名称:   ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
  • ISSN:   1438-1656 EI 1527-2648
  • 通讯作者地址:   Univ Porto
  • 被引频次:   0
  • DOI:   10.1002/adem.202000492 EA SEP 2020
  • 出版年:   2020

▎ 摘  要

Tendon/ligament injuries are debilitating conditions that affect the life quality of a great percentage of the adult population. Several challenges still have to be addressed regarding the repair of these tissues, as current treatments show limited success. The use of biocompatible and biodegradable polymeric scaffolds potentially helps accomplish a complete and long-term functional repair but, unfortunately, these materials lack adequate mechanical properties to be used in such demanding applications. Graphene is a subject of interest for tissue-repair applications due to its electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. If incorporated adequately, it may significantly improve the physical properties of the composite, even at small loadings. Furthermore, graphene presents a biocompatible surface that may enhance cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation and demonstrates promising outcomes in several in vitro and in vivo biological applications. Therefore, herein, the potential of graphene materials for the reinforcement of biodegradable polymers of interest for tendon/ligament repair is explored. The effect of graphene on relevant features such as mechanical properties, biodegradability, and biocompatibility is revised, to understand the feasibility of these composites to fulfill the requirements associated with these tissues and conclude how their applicability is extended to this field.