Surface Functionalization of Biomaterials

The interactions between biomaterials and biological tissues and fluids depends on the surface properties of the biomaterials and concomitant biological response. Biomaterials with favorable bulk attributes sometimes may not produce the desirable biological and biochemical functions and surface modification is one of the effective means to tailor selective surface properties of biomaterials and biomedical implants. By implementing plasma surface modification, pre-designed surface properties such as biocompatibility and antibacterial characteristics can be introduced, while the favorable bulk properties such as mechanical strength and robustness can be preserved. In particular, plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII&D) which is a non-line-of-sight technique is one of the common plasma treatment techniques to treat biomaterials and biomedical implants with a complex geometry. Moreover, since the interface between biodegradable biomaterials and tissues and body fluids is dynamic, PIII&D offers the unique capability of optimizing the interfacial physics and chemistry to achieve controlled and timely degradation. In this plenary presentation, recent research activities in the Plasma Laboratory of City University of Hong Kong pertaining to surface treatment of biomaterials and biomedical devices, especially biodegradable and antibacterial materials, will be highlighted.