Silicon Carbide-Based Nanowires for Biomedical Applications

Abstract This chapter presents an overview of the growth and optical properties (Section 10.2) and some in vitro applications of 3C–SiC-based nanowires (NWs). We show the cytocompatibility and the cellular internalization mechanisms of core–shell SiC–SiO 2 NWs (Section 10.3), the application of NWs conjugated with an organic photosensitizer for X-ray-excited photodynamic therapy (Section 10.4), and, finally, the characterization of NW substrates in the biological environment following the ISO 10993 standard (Section 10.5). Our results highlight that: (1) such NWs do not elicit cytotoxic activity leading to irreversible cellular damage or death; (2) the hybrid NW–porphyrin nanosystem is validated in view of deep cancer oncotherapy; and (3) NW platforms can be used as a biomimetic biomaterial for cell cultures, providing a biocompatible interface. Experiments with platelet-rich plasma indicate that SiC core–shell NWs induce a higher platelet activation compared to bare SiC NWs, which may be exploited for implantable prosthetic devices.