Towards osseointegration of bioinert ceramics: Introducing functional groups to alumina surface by tailored self assembled monolayer technique

The bioinert character of alumina implants does not promote bone bonding, thereby strongly limits possible applications for this material. Bone bonding to the implant surface is significantly dependent on its chemical composition. We hypothesized that a bioinert ceramic can be functionalized, introducing active groups onto the surface by self-assembled monolayer. The surface of alumina was coated with a silica layer using physical vapour deposition or flame pyrolysis. Subsequently SAM was attached by dint of octenyltrichlorosilane. Through further chemical treatments OH- and COOH-functional groups were created on the surface. The evidence of the functional groups was proven by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and contact angle measurements. Thereby for the first time functional groups were successfully coupled to an inert alumina surface using the method of SAM. In a next step of development, SAM technique could be used to couple biological agents to inert ceramic implant surfaces aiming the possible improvement of osseointegration.