Hierarchical Surface Pattern on Ni‐Free Ti‐Based Bulk Metallic Glass to Control Cell Interactions

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

Authors

  • Andreu Blanquer
  • Miguel B. Costa
  • Baran Sarac
  • A. Lindsay Greer
  • Jan Schroers
  • Carme Nogués

External Organisational units

  • Yale University

Abstract

Ni-free Ti-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are exciting materials for biomedical applications because of their outstanding biocompatibility and advantageous mechanical properties. The glassy nature of BMGs allows them to be shaped and patterned via thermoplastic forming (TPF). This work demonstrates the versatility of the TPF technique to create micro- and nano-patterns and hierarchical structures on Ti40Zr10Cu34Pd14Sn2 BMG. Particularly, a hierarchical structure fabricated by a two-step TPF process integrates 400 nm hexagonal close-packed protrusions on 2.5 µm square protuberances while preserving the advantageous mechanical properties from the as-cast material state. The correlations between thermal history, structure, and mechanical properties are explored. Regarding biocompatibility, Ti40Zr10Cu34Pd14Sn2 BMGs with four surface topographies (flat, micro-patterned, nano-patterned, and hierarchical-structured surfaces) are investigated using Saos-2 cell lines. Alamar Blue assay and live/dead analysis show that all tested surfaces have good cell proliferation and viability. Patterned surfaces are observed to promote the formation of longer filopodia on the edge of the cytoskeleton, leading to star-shaped and dendritic cell morphologies compared with the flat surface. In addition to potential implant applications, TPF-patterned Ti-BMGs enable a high level of order and design flexibility on the surface topography, expanding the available toolbox for studying cell behavior on rigid and ordered surfaces.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages12
JournalSmall
Volume??? Stand: 16. April 2024
Issue number??? Stand: 16. April 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 18 Dec 2023