Effects of Titanium and Niobium-Based MXene Coatings on Cell Growth and Differentiation
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Dave Estrada, Boise State University; and Hailey Burgoyne, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-16-2026
Abstract
MXenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional nanomaterials with properties well-suited to biomedical applications, including high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and tunable surface chemistry. This study investigates Ti₃C₂Tₓ, Ti₂CTₓ, and Nb₂CTₓ MXenes, including single-component and blended formulations, with and without polyurethane, as substrate coatings for tissue engineering. Coatings were deposited onto pretreated glass slides via spin coating and thermally annealed under vacuum, then characterized for surface roughness, film thickness, wettability, and elemental composition. Physicochemical stability was assessed by incubation in cell culture media, and compositions demonstrating adequate stability were advanced to cytocompatibility evaluation using L929 fibroblasts via Live/Dead imaging and AlamarBlue metabolic assay. These findings advance the understanding of MXene–cell interactions and the potential of MXene-based coatings as functional substrates for tissue engineering applications.
Effects of Titanium and Niobium-Based MXene Coatings on Cell Growth and Differentiation
MXenes are an emerging class of two-dimensional nanomaterials with properties well-suited to biomedical applications, including high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and tunable surface chemistry. This study investigates Ti₃C₂Tₓ, Ti₂CTₓ, and Nb₂CTₓ MXenes, including single-component and blended formulations, with and without polyurethane, as substrate coatings for tissue engineering. Coatings were deposited onto pretreated glass slides via spin coating and thermally annealed under vacuum, then characterized for surface roughness, film thickness, wettability, and elemental composition. Physicochemical stability was assessed by incubation in cell culture media, and compositions demonstrating adequate stability were advanced to cytocompatibility evaluation using L929 fibroblasts via Live/Dead imaging and AlamarBlue metabolic assay. These findings advance the understanding of MXene–cell interactions and the potential of MXene-based coatings as functional substrates for tissue engineering applications.