Surface modification of stainless steel medical implants for biofouling prevention

CHED 372

Robert A Wilson, wilsonrob@nku.edu and Heather A. Bullen, bullenh1@nku.edu. Department of Chemistry, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Dr, Highland Heights, KY 41099
Chemical treatments that can render medical implant devices resistant to biofouling are crucially needed. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have attracted significant attention due to their potential to form ordered films on various substrates. The research presented here evaluates the formation of SAMs formed from alkanethiols (X-(CH)2-SH) and alkanethiol derivatives on medical grade stainless steel (316L SS) as potential nonbiofouling surfaces. Scanning probe microscopy, FTIR, and cyclic voltammetry were used to evaluation the order and frictional properties of the SAMs. Results are correlated with SAMs on Au.