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Contributed Speaker

Maxim Ivanov

CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Material, University of Aveiro, Portugal

Advanced tuning of local electromechanical properties in polymer Poly (L-lactic acid) coating

Maxim Ivanov, Julio Rocha and Paula M. Vilarinho

Department of Materials and Ceramic Engineering, CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal

 

Keywords: Poly (L-lactic acid); Piezoresponse Force Microscopy; Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy

 

With the increase in the prevalence of bone disease and lesions, there is a need for advanced bone implants utilizing biocompatible materials that improve the healing process [1]. Current metallic implants have good mechanical properties but lack biocompatibility. This can be overcome by modifying the surface of the metallic implant materials, for example by coating them with polymers such as Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) [2]. PLLA is known as a material for bone implants due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and piezoelectric properties that have been shown to improve bone regeneration [3]. Piezoelectric properties are originated from the crystalline zones of PLLA. This causes a significant impact on the degree of crystallinity, crystallite orientation, and crystal morphology on the piezoelectric properties [3]. In our work by analyzing the effects of variables such as the treatment of the stainless-steel surface and the temperature, concentration of the PLLA solution, and the cooling and heating rates used during the crystallization, it is possible to better understand and adapt the crystallization behavior of the PLLA coating. To verify the piezoelectric behavior and the surface charge distribution, such AFM methods as Piezoresponse Force Microscopy (PFM), Electrostatic Force Microscopy (EFM), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) were utilized. This obtained knowledge could then be used to tune the properties of the implant devices for bone tissue engineering.

 

Acknowledgments

Authors thank CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC).

 

References

[1] Qu, H., et.al. RSC Adv. 2021, 9. https://doi.org/10.1039/C9RA05214C

[2] Moghaddam, N., et. al. Biomanufacturing Rev. 2016,1. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40898-016-0001-2.

[3] Narayanan, et. al. Adv. Drug delivery. Rev. 2016,107. https://10.1016/j.addr.2016.04.015.