Investigators: Professor Xiao Guo, Mrs Elnaz Ajami
Stream: PhD
Topic: Biomaterials (HA)
Status: Completed
This research focuses on the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on model titanium (Ti) surfaces, with the aim to:
- facilitate the growth of a hydroxyapatite (HA) layer of high crystallinity; and
- facilitate local delivery of antibiotics for implant applications.
Achieving a well-oriented, densely packed and reproducible monolayer on the Ti surface is challenging. It requires the simultaneous control of many factors, both related to the substrate and the SAM solution. Hence, understanding the physical and chemical properties of the underlying support is necessary prior to the SAM formation.
Once the Ti surface conditions are fully characterised in terms of surface roughness and wettability, the growth of silane-based SAMs is carried out, aiming to obtain a well-oriented and densely packed SAM. The surface activities can be tailored by the modification of the SAM end-groups.
The SAMs of high activity act as rapid inducer for crystalline HA to form from a simulated body fluid (SBF), which will in turn increase the biocompatibility of Ti. The SAMs of low activity may be used to immobilize suitable antibiotic molecules to deliver locally the antibiotics, which will in turn reduce the risks of post-implantation infection. The combination of these two functionalities on a single Ti surface makes it a suitable candidate for load-bearing implant applications.
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