Synthesis, characterization, and cytocompatibility of yttria stabilized zirconia nanopowders for creating a window to the brain

In this study, a new pr ocess 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 synthesiz ed 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 crani al implant applications. Nondoped ZrO2 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 ZrO2 and C_8YSZ controls. The BMSCs cultured with 3YSZ and 6YSZ showed no statistical differences in cell adhesion density when compared with the ZrO2 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.
Source: Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Tags: ORIGINAL RESEARCH REPORT Source Type: research