T.S. Sampath Kumar
Published: 2013-03-12
Total Pages: 49
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The physicochemical properties of biomaterials exert a major influence over their interaction with cells and subsequently play an important role on the materials' in vivo performance . Physical characteristics involve internal microstructural features, shape and size of particles, porosity, density, and surface area. Characterization in terms of the chemistry involves determination of the chemical composition and distribution of the elements within the biomaterial. The last decade has seen several innovations in the armory of tools to image and analyze materials, as well as advancement in the collection and processing of those results. In this chapter, the most commonly used methods, which are available for the microstructural characterization of biomaterials, are explained with suitable examples. This chapter starts with microstructural characterization using different types of microscopic techniques including optical and electron microscopy. These techniques can provide information from atomic-scale to microscale to macroscale information. Specific examples are also used for specialized microscopic techniques such as scanning probe microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Some discussions were also used in -related surface characterization using microscopic techniques. Followed by microscopic techniques, phase analysis techniques are discussed based on X-ray diffraction. Short discussion is also placed on infrared (IR)-based spectroscopic characterization for chemical analysis. Further discussion on IR spectroscopy can be found in for surface analysis. The last part of this chapter deals with size, shape, porosity, surface area and surface energy characterization. Particle size analysis by dynamic light scattering (DLS) is discussed in detail followed by IR spectroscopic analysis. Contact angle measurement for surface energy, mercury intrusion porosimetry for analysis of pore structures and gas adsorption measurements for surface area analysis are presented in detail with relevant examples. Throughout this chapter, specific discussions are focused on examples based on applications as well as advantages, disadvantages, and challenges.