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Description
An essential challenge in tissue engineering is the development of substrates that allow precise control over cell distribution and behavior on their surface. Substrates used for cell culture can significantly influence cell adhesion, proliferation, and directed cell growth.
The aim of this study was to obtain substrates with controlled surface morphology using the dewetting phenomenon of thin polymer films deposited on glass slides, and to evaluate their properties in the context of potential applications in cell culture.
Polycaprolactone (PCL) was used as a surface-modifying material for the preparation of cell culture substrates. Substrates with controlled morphology were obtained via the dewetting process, which involves the disintegration of an unstable polymer film under the influence of external factors. One of the key factors is the application of a polar solvent, in which the polymer layer is melted. As a result of this process, polymer droplets are formed on the substrate and subsequently solidify, creating an array of hemispherical particles.
The application of the dewetting process enabled the fabrication of substrates with controlled morphology. A correlation between the thickness of the polymer film on the glass substrate and the size of the resulting particles was observed, with thicker films leading to the formation of larger particles. The modified substrates exhibited different levels of hydrophobicity depending on the degree of surface modification. In vitro studies confirmed noticeable differences in cell growth compared to unmodified glass substrates.
| Conference Topics | Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology |
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