Nano-SiO₂ Enriched Biocompatible Powder Coatings

The success/failure of implants largely depends on their osseointegration with the surrounding bone, which in turn a strong function of their biocompatibility and surface roughness. Therefore, nanoparticles of metal oxides are recently being extensively used into composites in order to enhance their topographical and biological properties. Hence, the objective of this study is to develop biocompatible polymeric powder coatings enriched with nano-SiO₂ by using ultrafine powder coating technology and to grow HEPM cell on them. The coating technique involves a pre-processing of the powder mixture with the nanoparticles that ensures the homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles into the coating ingredients. As a consequence, the presence of SiO₂ nanoparticles into the polymeric materials facilitates fabrication of nano topographies onto the coated surfaces. An experimental set up was designed and executed to evaluate the adhesion/ bond strength of the coating and to measure the load bearing capacity that the coatings can withstand before being detached from the substrate. Coating's topographical features and cells' morphology were analyzed by using SEM.