Diffractive-optics-based sensor as a tool for detection of biocompatibility of titanium and titanium-doped hydrocarbon samples

Adsorption of the elongated human plasma fibrinogen (HPF) and globular human serum albumin molecules on a titanium-based surface is monitored by analyzing permittivity and optical roughness of protein-modified surfaces by using a diffractive optical element (DOE)-based sensor and variable angle spectro-ellipsometry (VASE). Both DOE and VASE confirmed that fibrinogen forms a thicker and more packed surface adlayer compared to a more porous and weakly adsorbed albumin adlayer. A linear relation of the permittivity (ε(')) and dielectric loss (ε('')) was found for some of the dry titanium-doped hydrocarbon (TDHC) surfaces with excellent HPF adsorption ability. We discuss some aspects of TDHC's aging and its possible effects on fibrinogen adsorption.