Plasma-based Surface Modification Applications of Biomaterials – A Review

This chapter Provides an overview of magnetically responsive nanoparticles/nanomedicines on aspects of their magnetic properties, synthetic methods, surface modification, and biomedical applications. It discusses the magnetically responsive nanoparticles according to their magnetic properties, synthetic methods, surface modification, and biomedical applications based on these nano-magnetic systems. The commonly used chemical methods include co-precipitation, thermal decomposition, and microemulsion, which are depicted in the following sections. However, the strategical selection of materials used for surface modification is important because the surface properties significantly affect the in vivo pharmacokinetic behavior of the modified magnetic nanoparticles. Surface modification of magnetic nanoparticles can improve the biocompatibility and aqueous dispersion, and prolong the blood circulation, as well as enhance drug loading efficiency and control drug release. The surface modification can effectively improve the stability of the magnetic nanoparticles. Although many preclinical studies of magnetically responsive nanomedicines have been reported, there are a few problems that need to be addressed prior to their clinical translation.

MXenes, as a novel kind of two-dimensional (2D) materials, were first discovered by Gogotsi et al. in 2011. Owing to their multifarious chemical compositions and outstanding physicochemical properties, the novel types of 2D materials have attracted intensive research interest for potential applications in various fields such as energy storage and conversion, environmental remediation, catalysis, and biomedicine. Although many achievements have been made in recent years, there still remains a lack of reviews to summarize these recent advances of MXenes, especially in biomedical fields. Understanding the current status of surface modification, biomedical applications and toxicity of MXenes and related materials will give some inspiration to the development of novel methods for the preparation of multifunctional MXene-based materials and promote the practical biomedical applications of MXenes and related materials. In this review, we present the recent developments in the surface modification of MXenes and the biomedical applications of MXene-based materials. In the first section, some typical surface modification strategies were introduced and the related issues were also discussed. Then, the potential biomedical applications (such as biosensor, biological imaging, photothermal therapy, drug delivery, theranostic nanoplatforms, and antibacterial agents) of MXenes and related materials were summarized and highlighted in the following sections. In the last section, the toxicity and biocompatibility of MXenes in vitro were mentioned. Finally, the development, future directions and challenges about the surface modification of MXene-based materials for biomedical applications were discussed. We believe that this review article will attract great interest from the scientists in materials, chemistry, biomedicine and related fields and promote the development of MXenes and related materials for biomedical applications.

Production, surface modification and biomedical applications of nanodiamonds: A sparkling tool for theranostics

Application of surface modification using sodium hypochlorite for helping flotation separation of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and polystyrene plastics of WEEE

Two low-damage plasma etching processes have been investigated to evaluate their impact on the integrity of the AlGaN layer during the SiN gate opening process of Metal Insulator Semiconductor High Electron Mobility Transistors (MIS-HEMT). We show that the low ion energy fluorocarbon plasma presents an infinite SiN/AlGaN etch selectivity despite significant surface modifications. In contrast, the smart etch process, that alternates H <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> plasma-based surface modification with chemical removal of the modified surface, preserves the surface of AlGaN. However it can lead to AlGaN recess due to over-implantation during the H <inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</inf> plasma step. Finally, we show that a KOH post etchi treatment removes plasma-induced damages. Therefore, combining the smart etch process with a KOH post etch treatment offers an interesting solution for SiN patterning over AlGaN with minimized surface modification and restored AlGaN surface quality.

Functionalization of biomedical materials using plasma and related technologies

This cluster issue of Journal of Physics D: Applied Physics arises from the Novel Applications of Surface Modification Conference (NASM 2007) held at Southampton University during 18–20 September 2007. It contains a collection of six papers based on both invited and contributed presentations at the conference. The NASM 2007 conference was organized by the Applied Physics and Technology Division of the Institute of Physics, and was co-sponsored by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the British Vacuum Council. The modification of the surface of a material allows the production of far superior products in terms of reduced wear, increased corrosion resistance, better biocompatibility, improved optical properties and altered electrical/electronic properties. Clearly, as surface modification methods improve, there are many more possible applications of such surface tailoring methods. The NASM 2007 Conference was planned so that scientists, engineers and manufacturers in different fields could come together to appraise the present applications of surface modification, establish where opportunities lie, identify the most significant challenges and address how problems should be tackled.The six papers contained within the cluster illustrate the diversity and breadth of the conference. The papers describe state-of-the-art research on a wide cross-section of topics, all unified by the overall theme of novel applications of surface modification. Specifically, papers are presented which consider nanoimprint lithography, statistical distributions of the coefficient of friction, the sliding drop method for optimizing surface energies for patterning in a roll-to-roll process, shakedown of residual stresses in titanium alloys, functionalized polymers and the determination of the electrochemically active surface area of Pt/C PEM fuel cell electrodes. The papers are authored by both academics and industrialists, further highlighting the broad theme of the conference.

Nanomaterial has diverse applications in electronics, catalysis, energy, materials chemistry and even biology due to the special properties endowed by their high specific surface ratio. However, nanoparticles can easily get agglomerated and lose their original properties, which has become one critical issue and limits its application in nanotechnology. Various surface modification methods were used to reduce its surface energy and prevent the agglomeration. While physical methods use surfactants to prevent the latter, chemical methods are more favorable, since the strong covalent bonds are more durable under wide range of conditions. Among these chemical modifications, chemical vapor deposition is extensively studied. Here we introduced nanomaterial’s characterization and reviewed different categories of chemical vapor deposition methods that have been used for nonmaterial’s surface modification. We showed that photo-induced chemical vapor deposition (PICVD) is an attractive strategy that could be carried out under normal temperature and pressure conditions; it might be the best potential candidate to be used widely in large-scale processes. Finally, we discussed the factors affecting functionalization process of PICVD and the research progress of its application in surface modification of nanoparticles.

Ultrasmall iron oxide nanoparticles: synthesis, surface modification, assembly, and biomedical applications

Electrospun polymeric nanofibers are essential in various fields for various applications because of their unique properties. Their features are similar to extracellular matrices, which suggests them for applications in healthcare fields, such as antimicrobials, tissue engineering, drug delivery, wound healing, bone regeneration, and biosensors. This review focuses on the synthesis of electrospun polymeric nanofibers, their surface modification, and their biomedical applications. Nanofibers can be fabricated from both natural and synthetic polymers and their composites. Even though they mimic extracellular matrices, their surface features (physicochemical characteristics) are not always capable of fulfilling the purpose of the target application. Therefore, they need to be improved via surface modification techniques. Both needle-based and needleless electrospinning are thoroughly discussed. Various techniques and setups employed in each method are also reviewed. Furthermore, pre- and postspinning modification approaches for electrospun nanofibers, including instrument design and the modification features for targeted biomedical applications, are also extensively discussed. In this way, the remarkable potential of electrospun polymeric nanofibers can be highlighted to reveal future research directions in this dynamic field.

Polymer films and coatings play an increasingly critical role in extending material functionality across industrial, biomedical, and environmental applications. Recent advances in surface engineering have enabled precise control of interfacial properties, leading to enhanced durability, cleanliness, and protection. This review summarizes state-of-the-art strategies for modifying polymer surfaces, with an emphasis on plasma-based surface modification and plasma-induced polymerization as versatile, solvent-free methods for tailoring wettability, chemical functionality, and adhesion. Furthermore, it examines emerging classes of self-cleaning and self-sterilizing coatings that leverage photocatalytic, hydrophobic, or antimicrobial mechanisms to mitigate contamination, biofouling, and pathogen transmission. Additionally, developments in high-performance barrier films designed to protect food products and electronic devices through improved resistance to gases, moisture, and chemical agents are highlighted. By integrating insights from materials chemistry, surface physics, and nanostructured coating design, this review provides a comprehensive overview of current achievements and future directions in functional polymer films and coatings aimed at anti-pollution, antibacterial, and anti-corrosion performance.

The 12 papers in this special issue focus on plasma-based surface modification and treatment technologies. The areas covered include physics and modeling of plasma-surface interactions; plasma instrumentation such as plasma sources and power modulators; plasma-based deposition techniques; plasma immersion ion-implantation and hybrid implantation-deposition technologies; medical, biological, metallurgical, aerospace, and environmental applications; plasma surface treatment of insulators and large industrial components; characterization of plasma-treated surfaces; fabrication of novel microelectronic and photonic structures and devices using plasma-based techniques; as well as plasma-based doping of semiconductors.

Opportunities for bacterial nanocellulose in biomedical applications: Review on biosynthesis, modification and challenges

Event Abstract Back to Event Chemical aspects of cell adhesion and -growth for vascular grafts Gaël Boespflug1, 2, 3, Marion Maire3, Jessica De La Torre Torres3, 4, Gregory De Crescenzo5, Sophie Lerouge3, 4 and Michael R. Wertheimer1, 2 1 École Polytechnique de Montréal, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Canada 2 École Polytechnique de Montréal, Department of Engineering Physics, Canada 3 Centre de recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Laboratory of Endovascular Materials (LBeV), Canada 4 École de technologie supérieure, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Canada 5 École Polytechnique de Montréal, Department of Chemical Engineering, Canada Introduction: Various routes enable one to functionalize polymer surfaces for enhanced cell adhesion and -growth. For example, commercial products [1] like tissue-culture poly(styrene) (TCP) have oxygen (O)-containing groups (e.g. OH, C=O, COOR) that originate from plasma-based surface modification, while Primaria™ in addition contains N-bearing functionalities like primary amines, NH2; Parylene diX-AM [2] is a commercial coating with only NH2. Such polar surfaces also enable covalent immobilization of bioactive molecules, to foster specific cell response to implants such as vascular grafts. This study compares various functionalization processes in their ability to create high densities of functional groups, and compares the efficacies of O- and N-rich polymer surfaces, along with “hybrid” (O+N) ones, for culture of hMSCs (human mesenchymal stem cells) and HUVECs (human umbilical vein endothelial cells). Materials and Methods: Low-pressure plasma-polymerized (“L-PP”) coatings were prepared on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films from mixtures of C2H4 with NH3 (“L-PPE:N”), N2O (“L-PPE:O,N”), or O2 (diluted in Ar, “L-PPE:O”); and simple surface modification of PET with NH3 plasma (“PETf”). Commercial Primaria™ and Parylene diX-AM were used for comparison. PET films were also treated with polyallylamine (PAAm) by aminolysis in an alkaline (pH=12.5) PAAm solution. Compositions and bond types of these surfaces were obtained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); prior derivatization by TFBA (4-trifluoromethybenzaldehyde) allowed us to determine amine concentrations, [NH2]. A bioactive molecule, chondroitin sulfate (CS), was grafted onto [NH2]-rich surfaces by EDC/NHS chemistry. Finally, hMSCs and HUVECs were seeded onto the surfaces, the Alamar Blue test being used to evaluate cell adhesion and -growth at three time-points (24h, 4d, 6d). Results: Table 1 shows compositions and [NH2] values; L-PPE:N, PETf, PAAm and Parylene diX AM manifest a wide [NH2] range, up to 6.4 at.%. For PAAm, [NH2] could be varied by controlling pH. “Hybrid” surfaces, Primaria™ and L-PPE:O,N, show lower [NH2], in spite of high [N], ca. 5 at.%, suggesting more varied, complex functionalities (confirmed by high-resolution C1s spectra, not shown). L-PPE:N greatly enhanced hMSC adhesion, but grafting of CS reduced it; however, this was compensated by an increased growth ratio (Figure 1). HUVEC culture confirmed that O- and NH2-rich surfaces enhance cell adhesion and growth, whereby L-PPE:N and L-PPE:O appear to yield similar results. Although Primaria™ showed excellent behavior, L-PPE:O,N did not, despite its high [O] and [NH2]. Conclusion: Both N- and O-rich surfaces have good cell-colonization properties, particularly plasma polymers, while “hybrid” surfaces are more ambiguous and call for further investigation. Samples with [NH2] enabled grafting of CS; while its low-fouling properties limited adhesion, it still allowed substantial cell growth. This work is supported by CIHR, NSERC and the Canada Research Chairs program. The authors also thank the Fondation Pierre Arbour for a scholarship to G.B, Dr. Benoît Liberelle and Samantha Noel for their help with aminolysis and dyes, and Drs. Josianne Lefebvre and Bernard Nisol for their expertise in XPS analysis.

Effects of air-plasma treatment in enhancing the mechanical properties of oriented strand boards