Magnetite nanoparticles doped photoresist derived carbon as a suitable substratum for nerve cell culture

A method which alters the substrateʹs physical and electrochemical properties by doping photoresist derived carbon with magnetite nanoparticles has been developed to enhance the existing substrateʹs ability to foster cell growth. Cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy are used to evaluate the characters of the prepared film. And then, the magnetite nanoparticles doped carbon film is used as substrate for the growth of nerve cell. Here, rat pheochromocytoma cells are used for culture to test substrate–cell interactions. The results showed an increase in cell concentration and average neurite length with the increase of nanoparticle concentration on the surface. Importantly, the nerve cells can be grown on the magnetite nanoparticles doped carbon even in the absence of nerve growth factor. This finding will potentially provide a new material for nerve regeneration.