Surface Engineering of Piezoelectric Semi-Crystalline Polymer Scaffolds via Plasma Treatment for Improved Adhesion and Integration of Osteoblasts

Abstract

The surface properties of tissue scaffolds are of critical importance in the field of bone tissue engineering as they primarily influence cell adhesion. Piezoelectric semicrystalline synthetic polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride have attracted considerable attention as biomaterials because of their ability to mimic the electrical environment of the native bone extracellular matrix. However, their osteointegration potential remains limited by their inherently low surface energy and suboptimal cell attachment properties. This study investigated the effect of plasma treatment on the surface properties of PVDF nanofiber scaffolds and the subsequent effects on cell adhesion. The plasma treatment process affects the surface morphology and wettability in relation to the gas used during the modification, thereby enhancing its interaction with the biological environment. Preliminary characterization of these surface modifications was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and water contact angle measurements, while the influence on cell adhesion and infiltration was investigated using confocal laser scanning microscopy.