Surface Functionalization of Implant Materials

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past few decades, much effort has been devoted to developing surgical implant materials such as titanium, zirconia, and polyether ether ketone (PEEK) for load-bearing prosthetics, due to their superior mechanical properties. However, these implant materials do not integrate with bones, which are encapsulated by dense fibrous tissue that prevents the proper distribution of stress and causes loosening of the implant. Therefore, the implant surface is always designed to produce osseointegration—i.e., the direct structural and functional connection between the living bone and implant surface—but this feature may also induce bacterial adhesion and colonization. Biomaterial-associated infections are a serious clinical complication that often results in failure of the implant material.

To achieve clinical success, the design and development of new composite implants or coating implants with enhanced osteogenesis and reduced bacterial adhesion for achieving clinical success have attracted great interest. However, synergistically maximizing bactericidal efficacy and promoting osteogenic activity on the surface of implant materials remains a challenge. To this end, this Special Issue will focus on emerging concepts related to the preparation, characterization, and performance of implant materials. Therefore, in this Special Issue, we cordially invite review articles and research papers that introduce the surface functionalization development of implant biomaterials or the design of novel composite implants whose unique characteristics can be exploited for clinical use.

In particular, the topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Surface functionalization
• Surface characterization
• Surface treatment/modification
• Bonding of biomaterial to load-bearing substrate
• Biocoating on titanium/zirconia/PEEK substrate
• Antibacterial coatings
• New bone implants with osteogenic and antibacterial activity

Prof. Dr. Shinn-Jyh Ding
Guest Editor

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