In situ hydrothermal growth and in vitro biocompatibility of TiO2 nanowires grown on TiO2 nanoparticle compacts as novel supportive substrates

In this work, TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) compacts were employed as novel supportive substrates for synthesis of TiO2 nanowires (NWs) with controlled diameter via an alkali hydrothermal route. SEM observations showed that the alkali hydrothermal treatment caused an in situ conversion of TiO2 NPs on the outer surface of the compacts to TiO2 NWs. The diameter of each individual NW could be facilely tailored from 10 nm to 500 nm through adjustment of the hydrothermal temperature and reaction time. Moreover, compared with TiO2 NWs grown on the conventional Ti metals, those grown on the compacts were much more stable in the aqueous solution. In vitro biocompatible evaluation indicates that the as-synthesised TiO2 NWs supported attachment and proliferation of fibroblasts L929 cells, indicating a good biocompatibility. Moreover, TiO2 NWs with small diameter significantly enhanced cell attachment and proliferation. Thus, the as-synthesised TiO2 NWs might have a potential as novel biocompatible tissue regenerative matrix.

Automated summary

TiO2 nanoparticle (NP) compacts were used as supportive substrates for the synthesis of TiO2 nanowires (NWs) with controlled diameter via an alkali hydrothermal route. The hydrothermal treatment converted the TiO2 NPs on the compacts to TiO2 NWs. The diameter of each NW could be adjusted by changing the hydrothermal temperature and reaction time. The NWs grown on the compacts showed better stability in aqueous solution compared to those grown on conventional Ti metals. In vitro biocompatibility evaluation demonstrated that the NWs supported cell attachment and proliferation, with smaller diameter NWs showing enhanced effects. The synthesized TiO2 NWs have potential as novel biocompatible tissue regenerative matrix.