Comparative study of the biodegradability of porous silicon films in simulated body fluid

Article type: Short Communication

Authors: Peckham, J.^; | Andrews, G.T.

Affiliations: Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada

Note: [] Address for correspondence: J. Peckham, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada, A1B 3X7. E-mail: jordanp@mun.ca

Abstract: The biodegradability of oxidized microporous, mesoporous and macroporous silicon films in a simulated body fluid with ion concentrations similar to those found in human blood plasma were studied using gravimetry. Film dissolution rates were determined by periodically weighing the samples after removal from the fluid. The dissolution rates for microporous silicon were found to be higher than those for mesoporous silicon of comparable porosity. The dissolution rate of macroporous silicon was much lower than that for either microporous or mesoporous silicon. This is attributed to the fact that its specific surface area is much lower than that of microporous and mesoporous silicon. Using an equation adapted from [Surf. Sci. Lett. 306 (1994), L550–L554], the dissolution rate of porous silicon in simulated body fluid can be estimated if the film thickness and specific surface area are known.

Keywords: Porous silicon, biodegradability, bioactivity, simulated body fluid, gravimetry

DOI: 10.3233/BME-141240

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 111-116, 2015