Application of surface analytical and modification techniques to biomaterial research

Abstract

The development of suitable materials for biomedical applications requires a thorough understanding of the structure and chemistry of the solid-liquid interface when such a material is placed in the biological environment. The field is made complex by the diversity of materials used, the different applications one has to consider, and the complexity of the various biological environments the implanted material may find itself in. To understand the interactions which may occur, it is important to have information on the structure and composition of the top few atomic layers. Concepts from surface science, such as surface analysis and modification techniques prove to be valuable aids in the development of suitable biomaterials. These methods are not new or unique but are well established in other technologies. In this paper, several areas of surface modification techniques will be chosen to illustrate how they are being applied in the biomaterial field, stressing the interdisciplinary nature of the work as well as the surface analytical techniques involved.