The present work provides an overview of the results of studies devoted to the use of two polymers, polyetheretherketone and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in the field of tissue engineering. The effect of plasma modification and cathode sputtering of gold on polymer surface properties and especially on cytocompatibility of these polymers was described. Both modification steps lead to significant changes of surface properties, such as the chemical composition of the surface layer, wettability, roughness and surface morphology. These properties have a significant effect on the surface biocompatibility. Plasma modification has a beneficial effect on cell adhesion and proliferation depending on the duration of exposure. The duration of sputtering affects the size and stability of the gold nanostructures, isolated nanoclusters can partially be released into the biological solution and thus affect the cytocompatibility of the polymer.

Fyziologický ústav AV ČR Praha

Ústav inženýrství pevných látek Vysoká škola chemicko technologická Praha Praha

Polymers for tissue engineering

Literatura