Coupling of keratin with titanium: A physico-chemical characterization of functionalized or coated surfaces

Coupling of keratin with titanium surfaces is here realized both through thick coatings and molecular functionalization. This coupling has the final aim both of chemical and mechanical protection of the titanium surfaces and of improving interaction of titanium implants with soft tissues in transmucosal and percutaneous implants. Wool-derived keratin has been used and plasma decontamination/activation has been tested as possible strategy for the improvement of keratin grafting ability and adhesion. Coated/functionalized surfaces have been characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), zeta potential and adhesion (tape and scratch) tests. These analyses evidenced that keratin was successfully coupled to titanium surfaces both in the form of molecular grafting and thick coating. In both cases, plasma surface activation improves keratin wetting and bonding ability for the substrates. The obtained coatings showed good adhesion and mechanical stability.