Polymeric composites containing carbon nanotubes for bone tissue engineering.

Several natural and synthetic polymers are now available for bone tissue engineering applications but they may lack mechanical integrity. In recent years, there are reports emphasizing the importance of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in supporting bone growth. CNTs possess exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, facilitating their use as reinforcements or additives in various materials to improve the properties of the materials. Biomaterials containing polymers often are placed adjacent to bone. The use of CNTs is anticipated in these biomaterials applied to bone mainly to improve their overall mechanical properties and expected to act as scaffolds to promote and guide bone tissue regeneration. This review paper provides a current state of knowledge available examining the use of the polymeric composites containing CNTs for promoting bone growth. Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.