A composite based on mesoporous ordered silica (SBA-15) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), has been synthesized to be used in biomedical applications as a conductor composite for cell stimulation and regeneration. The influence of the CNT addition time on the SBA-15–CNTs composite synthesis has been studied and optimized attending to morphology and structure, to produce a homogeneous material with both structures preserved. With the addition of the CNTs, the electrical resistance has decreased 8 orders in magnitude in comparison to the SBA-15 itself. The potential of these materials to be used as bioimplants has been evaluated in vitro by soaking the composite in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37 °C.

This research was supported by a Marie Curie European Reintegration Grant within the FP7 (FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-2-ERG). The authors also thank the Spanish CICYT through project MAT2008-01486 and the CAM through project S-0505/MAT/0324. We also thank C.A.I. X-ray Diffraction, C.A.I. electron microscopy of Universidad Complutense de Madrid. M. Vila and I. Izquierdo-Barba would like to thank also the financial support of the Fondo Social Europeo, and the MEC through a Ramón y Cajal Grant.

Peer reviewed