Influence of nanocrystalline structure and surface properties of TiO2 thin films on the viability of L929 cells

• Published in: Polish journal of chemical technology 2015-09, Vol.17 (3), p.33-39
• Main Authors: Osękowska, Małgorzata, Karuga-Kuźniewska, Ewa, Wojcieszak, Damian, Mazur, Michał, Poniedziałek, Agata, Kaczmarek, Danuta, Szymonowicz, Maria, Rybak, Zbigniew
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cell morphology; nanocrystalline thin film; surface properties; TiO; tio2; viability of L929 cells
• ISSN: 1509-8117; 1899-4741
• DOI: 10.1515/pjct-2015-0047

In this work the physicochemical and biological properties of nanocrystalline TiO thin films were investigated. Thin films were prepared by magnetron sputtering method. Their properties were examined by X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, optical transmission method and optical profiler. Moreover, surface wettability and scratch resistance were determined. It was found that as-deposited coatings were nanocrystalline and had TiO -anatase structure, built from crystallites in size of 24 nm. The surface of the films was homogenous, composed of closely packed grains and hydrophilic. Due to nanocrystalline structure thin films exhibited good scratch resistance. The results were correlated to the biological activity ( ) of thin films. Morphological changes of mouse fibroblasts (L929 cell line) after contact with the surface of TiO films were evaluated with the use of a contrast-phase microscope, while their viability was tested by MTT colorimetric assay. The viability of cell line upon contact with the surface of nanocrystalline TiO film was comparable to the control sample. L929 cells had homogenous cytoplasm and were forming a confluent monofilm, while lysis and inhibition of cell growth was not observed. Moreover, the viability in contact with surface of examined films was high. This confirms non-cytotoxic effect of TiO film surface on mouse fibroblasts.