Electrically Polarized Biomaterials

Abstract

Electrically polarized biomaterials and their interactions with the surrounding biological environment is important for understanding the host response, growth and inhibition of biological species as well as the long-term fate and performance of the implants. Polarized materials possess electrical charges at the surface due to polar or electret properties. As these surfaces are at the frontier of biological reactions understanding biological interactions at the interface with polarized biomaterials requires a convergence of understanding multiple disciplines. This article discusses progress that has taken place in the fields of surface and interface science, materials science and biomedical device engineering to obtain a better perspective of such interactions.

Biocompatibility of (Ba,Ca)(Zr,Ti)O3 piezoelectric ceramics for bone replacement materials

“…Thus, they can be used to mimic the bone's ability to generate electrical potentials under a mechanical load without the need for an external power source. Piezoelectric ceramics as bone replacement materials are currently not used in implant devices; however, in vitro studies indicate improved biocompatibility and bone‐inductive ability on piezoelectric ceramic surfaces (Bodhak, Bose, & Bandyopadhyay, ; Tofail & Bauer, ).…”

Cytotoxicity, chemical stability, and surface properties of ferroelectric ceramics for biomaterials

“…Surface electrical charges in biomaterials have also been recognized as an important parameter that determines cell activity . This is a result of cellular endogenous electrical and transmembrane voltage potentials . For electroactive biomaterials, such as piezoelectrics, the terms “smart biomaterials” or “the fourth generation of biomaterials” have been coined.…”

“…They feature extremely high piezoelectricity and sensing capabilities rendering that application of an electric field or mechanical load can be used for tuning their surface electrical charges. Thus, due to their surface electrical charges and piezoelectricity, they can interact with cells electrically or via nanoscale mechanical stimulation . Ferroelectrics neither require external power sources to manifest surface electric charges, nor electrodes, which is a clear advantage over other electroactive materials .…”

“…[5][6][7] This is a result of cellular endogenous electrical and transmembrane voltage potentials. [8][9][10][11][12] For electroactive biomaterials, such as piezoelectrics, the terms "smart biomaterials" 9 or "the fourth generation of biomaterials" 10 have been coined. These materials feature the unique capability to interact with their physiological environment through electrical signals to foment tissue regeneration and sense cellular responses.…”

Hydrogen‐Peroxide‐Generating Electrochemical Scaffold Eradicates Methicillin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms

“…This causes disruption in the wound biofilm and promotes wound healing. It has been reported that direct electrical stimulation of wound surfaces can regulate various factors involved in the overall wound healing process, including promoting angiogenesis, increasing direct cell migration to the wound site, and decreasing edema . Use of direct current (DC) has been reported as the most common and efficient method for electrical stimulation of wound healing.…”