The interaction of selected semiconducting biomaterials with platelet-rich plasma and whole blood

Copper and silicon are used as biomaterials in various forms. Silicon is a well-known semiconductor and has two distinct types (n-type and p-type), depending on the dopants used. The oxides (e.g., CuO and Cu ₂O) on the copper surface also behave as semiconductors. The electrochemical properties of these two selected semiconducting biomaterials were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and open-circuit potential (OCP) in an aerated Ringer's solution at 37°C. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and whole blood from a healthy human donor were used to determine the degree of interaction with the selected semiconducting materials in vitro. Morphologies of adherent platelets and blood on these two biomaterials were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental results indicated that the degree of interaction is a function of the electrochemical properties of these two biomaterials. Platelets and blood were found to react strongly with p-type biomaterials while little or no sign of interaction with n-type biomaterials was demonstrated. The difference in PRP and whole blood reactions between p-type and n-type semiconductors was quantified to be significant as p <0.05.