Biofunctionalised biocompatible titania coatings for implants

The biological response of an organism to an implant can be influenced by structuring and/or functionalisation of the implant surface. The goal of our study is to improve the osseointegration of orthopaedic endoprothesis by coating metal substrates with dense or nanoporous titania layers combined with biofunctionalisation of the surface with peptides and proteins. The sol-gel method is used to produce titania coatings on medical relevant substrates such as titanium or titanium alloys. Control of the educt ratios and the processing, like drying the specimens in air (xerogel) or supercritical drying in an autoclave unit (aerogel), results in dense or nanoporous titania films. Pore diameters can be adjusted between 10 and 120 nanometers. A remarkable characteristic of the coatings is the high number of surface hydroxy functionalities even after calcination. These reactive groups give ideal conditions for the biofunctionalisation. The immobilisation of biological active substances is carried out by successive covalent silanisation with an aminosilane using a dicarbonic acid as a spacer molecule, and binding of peptides to the spacers. Biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the materials were tested with cell culture assays.