Nitrogen ion implanted graphene as thrombo-protective safer and cytoprotective alternative for biomedical applications

Nitrogen ion implanted graphene (N/graphene) was investigated for its interaction with mouse fibroblast cells, human endothelial cells and rabbit blood. The results showed that cells cultured on N/graphene displayed increased cell-viability, proliferation, and stretching when compared to those cultured on pristine graphene. An clinical acceptable hemolytic rate (below 5%) and lower platelet adhesion and prolonged kinetic blood-clotting time were also observed for N/graphene, indicating better thromboresistance than pristine graphene. Fourier transformer infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements proved that N ion implantation induced introduction of N element and appearance of NC functional groups on N/graphene. The polarity and electronegativity induced by N-containing functional groups on the N/graphene may be related to the improved cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility.