Micropatterned zinc oxide nanowire substrate preparation and analysis

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires offer a number of properties that are of interest in the field of neural tissue engineering. Materials that exhibit nanoscale surface dimensions have been shown to promote neuron function while simultaneously minimizing the activity of cells that inhibit central nervous system regeneration. Studies demonstrating enhanced neural tissue regeneration in electrical fields and on conductive scaffolds have led to interest in piezoelectric materials, such as ZnO. It has been speculated that ZnO nanowires have increased piezoelectric properties over ZnO fibers with diameters on a micron scale. The present study assessed the feasibility of micropatterning ZnO nanowires for investigating the adhesion and organization of neural cells on piezoelectric nanomaterials. ZnO nanowires embedded in polycarbonate urethane were micropatterned into rows with micrometer dimensions. Scanning electron microscope images of the micropatterned surfaces were observed to assess nanowire orientation. This study represents the first step in producing piezoelectric nanofiber scaffolds for neural tissue engineering. Successful production of scaffolds suitable for neural cell culture offers a means to evaluate their potential for incorporation into nerve guidance channels of greater efficiency.