AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition
    MEMS and NEMS Thursday Sessions
       Session MN-ThP

Paper MN-ThP3
Morphology and Mechanical Properties of Block Copolymer Films for Bone Regeneration Applications

Thursday, November 12, 2009, 6:00 pm, Room Hall 3

Session: MEMS and NEMS Poster Session
Presenter: M. Palacio, The Ohio State University
Authors: B. Bhushan, The Ohio State University
M. Palacio, The Ohio State University
S. Schricker, The Ohio State University
Correspondent: Click to Email
Biocompatible polymers act as scaffolds for the regeneration and growth of bones. In dentistry, these can be used to treat diseases with accompanying bone loss, such as aggressive periodontitis. Surface morphology, specifically the presence of nanostructures, is expected to affect the adhesion of the cells adsorbed on the surface, which should be optimized for successful cell growth. Block copolymers are of interest as scaffold materials because a number of them are biocompatible, and their nanostructure is easily tunable with synthetic techniques. In this investigation, atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were conducted for two block copolymers, namely, poly(methyl methacrylate-b-acrylic acid) and poly(methyl methacrylate-b-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). The topography, stiffness, phase angle, and friction maps were obtained in dry and aqueous environments in order to study the morphology, elasticity, viscoelasticity, and friction properties, respectively. Results of AFM imaging identified the presence of polymer domains corresponding to the copolymer components. Images taken in an aqueous medium reveal greater contrast as a consequence of the differential water absorption between the copolymer components.