Carbon-based composites in biomedical applications: a comprehensive review of properties, applications, and future directions

Abstract

Carbon materials have emerged as a rapidly advancing category of high-performance materials that have garnered significant attention across various scientific and technological disciplines. Their exceptional biochemical properties render them highly suitable for diverse biomedical applications, including implantation, artificial joints, bioimaging, tissue and bone engineering, and scaffold fabrication. However, a more systematic approach is required to fully exploit the potential of carbon-based materials in the biomedical realm, necessitating extensive and collaborative research to address the existing challenges, which comprehensive long-term stability studies, the surface properties and investigate the toxicity of biomedical materials. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of carbon materials, elucidating their inherent advantages and highlighting their increasingly prominent role in biomedical applications. After a brief introduction of carbonaceous materials, we discuss innovative deposition strategies that can be utilized to artificially replicate desired properties, such as biocompatibility and toxicology, within complex structures. Further, this paper serves as a valuable resource to harness the potential of carbon materials in the realm of biomedical applications. Last, we conclude with a discussion on the significance of continuous exploration in propelling further advancements within this captivating field.