Effect of surface modification on the in vitro calcium phosphate growth on the surface of poly(methyl methacrylate) and bioactivity

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is a biocompatible polymer widely used for bone substitutes. Its surface properties, however, are not favorable for the induction of biological apatite which can be directly related to natural bone formation. In this study, the surface of PMMA was modified by NaOH treatment or sequential treatments with ethanol (EtOH) and NaOH. Results displayed that surface hydrophilicity was improved for increasing treatment time and NaOH concentration. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE–SEM) displayed that in vitro formation of calcium phosphate (CaP) coating was significantly promoted by the surface modifications. X-ray photon spectroscopy (XPS) examination elucidated that the films prepared on PMMA consisted of calcium and phosphorus and their values for Ca/P ratio were closed to octacalcium phosphate (OCP). Fourier transform infrared (FT–IR) spectra of the film coated on PMMA revealed a band characteristic of phosphate groups confirming that CaP films were formed and their characteristics were dependent on the surface properties of PMMA. Cellular assay demonstrated that the adhesion of osteoblast-like MG63 cells was significantly promoted on CaP-coated PMMA. Proliferation assay showed that CaP films appeared not to exert any cytotoxic effects on the growth of MG63 cells.