Surface Modifications of Biometals

Abstract

Biomaterials are inevitable in medical applications today, present in surgical equipment, and aiding in diagnostics and treatment such as fixating devices and replacements. Distinguished classes of biomaterials are comprised of metals, ceramics, polymers, or composites. The choice of biomaterial is based on the intended application, and the nature of the tissue revamp or replacement. These biocompatible materials are designed based on the necessity of soft or hard tissue restoration and introduced into the microenvironment, where it interacts with the immediate body fluids and tissues. In-vivo stay of the biomaterials can modify its native properties, thus calling for a methodology to prevent this change and the due effects such as material failure, replacement, or corrective surgery. This chapter emphasizes the surface modifications of the metallic biomaterials with augmented physical, chemical and mechanical properties. Various physical and chemical surface modifications techniques are reported that can improve the corrosion resistance, surface properties and provide better biocompatibility. Brief discussions on surface modifications achieved by various techniques like plasma deposition, vacuum deposition, thin-film coatings, chemical treatments, electro-deposition and thermo-chemical methods are discussed in this chapter. Surface functionalization advancements that have extended its application in drug delivery are also discussed in this chapter.