Comparative In Vitro Studies of Materials Properties of Uncoated and Multifunctional/Biocompatible Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) Coated‐Bioactive Bovine Nanohydroxyapatite Scaffolds for Transformational Bone Tissue Engineering

This article focuses on describing studies of physicochemical properties of hydroxyapatite (HAp) scaffolds and HAp scaffolds coated with a unique highly biocompatible ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD) coating (HAp‐UNCD) produced by a patented microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) process. Studies involved complementary analytical techniques and biological assays, as described below: Raman spectroscopy revealed chemistry of Hp scaffold and UNCD as well as samples transformed by immersion in Hanks’ Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS); Infrared (IR) analysis revealed C ions on scaffolds’ surface; Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed the scaffolds’ pore structure; High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) revealed nanoscale structures of HAp and HAp‐UNCD scaffolds; Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of UNCD coating on HAp scaffolds; X‐ray Diffraction (XRD) revealed the HAp crystalline structure before and after immersion in HBSS; In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed no‐cytotoxicity in HAp and HAp‐UNCD scaffolds; N 2 adsorption‐desorption analysis showed meso‐porosity in both scaffolds; Mineral content analysis showed Na and Mg atoms, important elements for bone growth; The UNCD coating increases the HAp’ surface roughness, which may enhance cellular growth in biomedical applications; X‐ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed chemical interactions between HAp scaffolds and UNCD coatings.