Application of atomic force microscopy methods for testing the surface parameters of coatings of medical implants

Atomic force microscopy methods are used to study calcium phosphate coatings that are formed on surfaces of various materials, which are used in medicine, by radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of a hydroxyapatite target. The roughness parameters and values of the surface potentials of metal, polymer, and hybrid substrates are determined in a semicontact regime. Calcium phosphate coatings increase the roughness of surfaces of polymer and metal materials, thus presenting a stimulating factor for the attachment and proliferation of osteogenic cells. Using the Kelvin method, it is shown that calcium phosphate coatings change the surface potential of substrates.