Crystallization of ferritin on biocompatible Surfaces – Bare Ti and Ti covered by polypyrrole (PPy)

The purpose of this study was to examine crystallization of ferritin on some biocompatible materials, like bare Ti, and Ti substrate covered by polypyrrole (PPy) through electrochemical polymerization.

Crystallization process is known to be dependent on the way of crystal nucleation – homogenous or heterogeneous. On the other hand, heterogeneous formation of nuclei also depends on the substrate interacting with the crystallizing molecule such reducing the energy of nucleation. Here we report a study of the crystallization of ferritin on bare Ti, Ti covered by polypyrrole (PPy) film through elecropolymerisation, Ti with electrodeposited ferritin on its surface, as well as Ti with ferritin adhered through steeping.

Studies of crystallization have been performed in conditions of vapor diffusion mode, applying hanging and sitting drop versions. Results obtained show that crystallization on a bare Ti surface do not happen for a very long time and crystals become visible after a month, while on a glass surface they are detectable in a week. In case the Ti is covered by ferritin molecules, crystallization happens and crystal morphology depends on the way of ferritin layer has been deposited on the Ti substrate. Crystallization of ferritin on PPy has been found only in case of porous coverage and also mainly in hanging drop experiments.