It is observed that biomaterials such as bacterial cellulose and Chitosan although having favourable biocompatibility and mechanical properties, report frequent occurrence of unsuccessful intrinsic tissue integration, bacterial adhesion, growth and infection in these membranes which causes aseptic loosening driving towards implant rejection.[1] Our lab have been employing a surface modification regime using energetic particles from low-temperature plasma with a controlled fluence ranging from 1016-1017cm-2 and angle of incidences (0-60°) to get desired surface nanopatterning high fidelity and controllability of cellular adhesion and proliferation in tissue repair. We observed the nanotexturing induces morphological transformation along with changes in surface chemistry .[2,3] Surface functionalization of biopolymers is also possible with this type of ion irradiation. The tunability of nanoparticle formation of metal and metal oxides are being further explored, with the expected enhancement of healthy tissue growth. We have translated these changes to tissue engineering and obtained some significant results. The nanotexturing of the surface of biopolymers with surface functionalization assists cell adhesion in implants and improves cell proliferation by factors great factor and provides a bactericidal surface. Investigation on the effects of the energy of the irradiation, fluence, angle of incidence and the species of gas to form plasma shows a direct influence on the surface nanopatterning. We will discuss the highlights of our work in nanopatterning of natural polymers and their efficacy, clinical applications, and potential translational challenges.

Surface modification of biomaterial using plasma irradiation synthesis for tissue engineering

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.