An electrochemical, in vitro bioactivity, and quantum chemical approach to nanostructured copolymer coatings for orthopedic applications

Conducting polymers represent a promising platform toward coating materials for implant technologies in recent years. In this investigation, copolymers based on pyrrole (Py) and 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) were electrodeposited on 316L SS with various feed ratio of Py/EDOT through cyclic voltammetric technique. The surface and chemical structure of the synthesized copolymers were analyzed by SEM, AFM, FT-IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis. The influence of comonomer feed ratio on electrochemical corrosion behavior was investigated in stimulated body fluid. A significant lower corrosion current with nobler shift in corrosion potential and higher charge transfer resistance values of copolymer-coated 316L SS were obtained and the comparisons were made with uncoated as well as their homo polymers. Furthermore, in vitro cell culture studies were performed on MG63 osteoblast human cells to confirm the biocompatibility of copolymer coatings. Quantum chemical approach was employed to verify the obtained experimental outcomes. As a result of this investigation, it was concluded that the performance of coatings was strongly dependent to the monomer feed ratio and the copolymer synthesized with 50:50 feed ratio showed high corrosion protection efficiency with improved cell growth on MG63 osteoblast cell.