Nitinol (NiTi) nanoparticles, a fifty-fifty metal alloy of nickel and titanium, are valued because of their corrosion resistance, superelasticity, and shape-memory. NiTi is currently being used in biomedical tools, including eyeglasses, braces, and heart stents. Because of the chemical properties of the nanoparticles, NiTi has strong potential in cell adhesion. The plight of NiTi falls in that the nickel is still very reactive. To be able to utilize the NiTi nanoparticles, the surface requires modification, specifically by phosphonic acids. The metal oxide surface readily adheres to these acids, forming self-assembled alkylphosphonate films. In previous research, phosphonic acids, including 16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid, octadecylphosphonic acid, and 12-aminododecylphosphonic acid were used to form ordered self-assembled monolayers on the NiTi nanopowder. Further investigation is being done to apply the NiTi to a biological concept, in which the nanoparticles will be examined for their ability to promote cell adhesion to surfaces. The morphology of B35 neuroblastoma cells cultured on modified NiTi are compared to the cells cultured on unmodified NiTi and in the absence of NiTi to examine which environment is more favorable for neurite extension. Epifluorescent microscope images of cells have been analyzed using NeuroMath software for information about total cell area, and neurite number, length, and complexity. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy was used to quantify the chemical elements of nickel and titanium.

B35 neuroblastoma cells cultured on phosphonic acid-modified and unmodified nitinol nanoparticles to test effects on neural morphology

255th National Meeting (2018)

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