Zeolite inorganic scaffolds for novel biomedical application: Effect of physicochemical characteristic of zeolite membranes on cell adhesion and viability

The design, preparation and selection of inorganic materials useful as functional scaffolds for cell adhesion is a complex question based both on the understanding of the chemical behavior of the materials and individual cells, and on their interactions. Pure zeolite membranes formed from synthetic crystals offer chemically-capable being modulated silanolic surfaces that are amenable to adhesion and growth of fibroblasts. We report the facile preparation of reusable, very longlasting, biocompatible, easily sterilized synthetic scaffolds in a zeolite membrane configuration, which are very stable in aqueous media (apart from ionic strength and pH values), able to adsorb pollutant species and to confine undesired toxic ions (present in culture media). This may ultimately lead to the development of cell supports for economic antibiotic-free culture media.