Laser Surface Modification of Poly (e-caprolactone) Scaffold for Artificial Skin Applications

Abstract

Hard implants undergo detachment from the host tissues due to inadequate biocompatibility, poor adhesion and subsequent cell integration. Thereby, surface engineering seems to offer solutions for improved functionality and biocompatibility of material implants inside the biological environment. Polycaprolactone (PCL) thin film has been fabricated via uniaxial compression technique. Pulsed excimer laser was used to modify the PCL surface roughness. The laser pulses induced the formation of nanoripples on the membrane surface. The effect of laser parameters (pulse rate, energy and number of pulses) on the development of the nanoripples was studied. The surface morphology, roughness and the scaffold biocompatibility and cell viability were characterized using scanning electron microscopes (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and MTT assay micro-plate reader. This work showed that applying laser pulses at different rates significantly modified the surface criteria. The modified scaffold was more biocompatible, rough, with enhanced cell attachment, proliferation and provided adequate host for cells to differentiate rather than the unmodified scaffold. The results clearly revealed that the modified scaffold with nanoripples on its surface could be a candidate implant material for artificial skin applications.