Abstract

Sol–gel derived titania coatings are being developed for use as biomedical coatings. In this study, bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells and ROS osteoblast-like cells have been cultured on sol–gel derived titania coatings and are compared with cultures on glass and tissue culture plastic (TCPS) surfaces. Over 24 h both the BMS and ROS cells attach well to all three substrates. On the titania coatings both cell types spread well, displaying morphologies that conform with those expected of these cells. The ROS cells did not spread well on the glass or TCPS surfaces.

The titania coatings were deposited onto glass by means of an alkoxide sol–gel route and characterised using a number of analytical techniques, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The effects of withdrawal rate (in the dipping process) and firing temperature on coating integrity and adherence (to the glass substrate) have been investigated. From this study, parameters have been identified that yield thin, smooth, crack-free titania coatings of homogeneous surface chemistry.