Surface characterisation and in vitro behaviour of carbon/carbon composites with various surface modifications

Abstract

The success of implants is determined by the cell response to biomaterials and the integration into the tissue. The surface characteristic of the biomaterial is considered as a key factor to influence the cell response and integration. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of various surface modifications for carbon/carbon (C/C) composites on the MG63 cell responses. Surface modified C/C composites including rough shaped C/C composites (RCC), post-deposition treated C/C composites (PCC) and diamond-like carbon coated C/C composites (DCC) were prepared. The surface characterisation was performed on three kinds of surface modified C/C composites using scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, laser confocal scanning microscope and video based contact angle measuring device. Evaluation of the human osteoblast-like MG63 cell responses to the three kinds of surface modified C/C composites was carried out. The RCC had a rough surface with some grooves. The PCC and DCC showed spherical morphologies with different grain sizes. The surface roughnesses for RCC, PCC and DCC were Ra = 1·60±0·10, 0·69±0·10 and 0·76±0·10 μm respectively. The RCC, PCC and DCC had similar water contact angles of 85·7±4·1, 83·6±0·4 and 92·7±2·3° respectively. The cell responses showed that both PCC and DCC had better cell spreading than RCC. The cell proliferation behaviour of the three kinds of surface modified C/C composites was in the following order: DCC>PCC>RCC. The DCC shows favourable cell compatibility and further has the potential to be used in orthopaedic applications.