The effect of active screen plasma nitriding on the cellular compatibility of polmeric biomaterials

Kaklamani, Georgia (2012). The effect of active screen plasma nitriding on the cellular compatibility of polmeric biomaterials. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Active Screen Plasma Nitriding (ASPN) is a novel surface engineering technique, the main advantage of which is the capacity to treat homogeneously all kind of materials surfaces of any shape. Here, ASPN is used to modify the surface properties of ionomer glasses and polymers in order to improve the surface cellular compatibility of these materials. A conventional DC nitriding unit has been used together with an AS experimental arrangement. The materials that were treated were an ionomer glass composition and UHMWPE. All treated/untreated samples were seeded with the 3T3 fibroblasts. In order to identify the effect of the plasma treatment, chemical and mechanical properties characterization was conducted. For the cellular samples, SEM, Interferometry, AFM and MTT assay were conducted in order to observe cells’ behavior on the untreated and treated materials. The inert surface of the untreated glass showed good interaction with fibroblasts only after the ASPN treatment which resulted in enhanced fibroblasts attachment and proliferation. The treatment temperature, the length of treatment and the presence of nitrogen had an influence on the surface properties of glass. UHMWPE treated samples chemical characterization showed the formation of C-N and N-H groups resulting in an increase of the functionality of treated surfaces. 3T3 fibroblasts cell culture studies showed that the ASPN treatment had a positive effect on the adhesion and proliferation of cells according to the time of treatment and the increase of the nitrogen concentration in the gas mixture. As a conclusion ASPN treatment can be a very effective method to modify inorganic and organic polymeric surfaces in order to improve cellular compatibility.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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