Research Article
G. Munir, X. Li, M. J. Edir
Abstract
Template-assisted electrohydrodynamic atomisation (TAEA) spraying of nanometer-sized siliconsubstituted hydroxyapatite (nanoSiHA) was used to pattern implant surfaces for guided cell growth to improve the repair and regeneration of medical implants. A suspension of nanoSiHA was prepared and characterized. Patterns of pillars and tracks of various dimensions were prepared using the suspension. It was found that the resolution of the pattern was affected by TAEA processing parameters, such as applied voltage, flow rate, distance between needle and substrate, and spray time. Fifteen minutes spraying time provided the most clear and uniform patterned topography with a distance between nozzle and substrate of 50mm and a flow rate of 4?l/min. Therefore, well-defined nanoSiHA patterns can be achieved by TAEA deposition, it thus offers great potential for patterning the surface of medical implants.