Improving polymeric surfaces for biomedical applications: a review

The performance of a material in a biological environment is mediated by its surface properties and by the combination of physical and mechanical properties that are required for a specific application. The more relevant surface properties in these respects include its chemical structure (hydrophilicity and the presence of functional groups that could initiate reactions in biological systems) and the morphology (the distribution and abundance of hydrophilic/hydrophobic phases, crystalline/amorphous phases and surface topographical assets). In surface modification, one aims to tailor the surface characteristics of a material toward a specific application without detrimentally affecting the bulk properties. This strategy allows for an increase in the success of implants’ application by increasing their lifetime. In this review, several approaches to the surface modification of polymers are described, as are a number of viable applications.