Surface effects of polyelectrolyte multilayer films on bioactive glass scaffolds

Bioactive glasses are crucial in regenerative medicine, meeting the demand for biomaterial–bone tissue integration. This study explores the effect of polymer-based films on bioactive glass, evaluating their impact on biological and physicochemical properties to potentially improve cell-material interaction. Polysaccharide-based films were used to modify a silica-based bioactive glass, analyzing surface features, composition, and bioactivity upon immersion in simulated body fluid. Surface characteristics investigation confirmed successful functionalization, but no notable differences were found in bioactivity between unmodified and polymer-coated materials. Therefore, the polymer-based coating is not detrimental for the scaffold’s apatite-forming ability, and is expected to facilitate bone cell attachment, which deserves future investigation.