Electric Potential Control of Cell Adsorption on Solid Surface

Abstract

Effects of electric potential applied to a solid surface on cell adsorption were studied using sheep erythrocyte and semiconductive material such as In₂O₃ (or SnO₂)-evaporated transparent glass plate. The behaviors of erythrocyte on the semiconductive surface under potential application were directly observed with microscopic methods.
At the potential range from -0.2 to+0.5 V vs. AgAgCl erythrocyte cells came more frequently in contact with the surface depending on the applied potential. Some of the cells adsorbed on the surface. The number of the adsorbed cell became maximum on the, material surface whose potential was controlled at O.5V, whereas the number decreased gradually in the potential range from +0.5 to 1.5 V. When the electric potential of 1.3V or above was applied to the material surface, the adsorbed erythrocyte underwent degradation. Although the mechanisms of cell adsorption and cell degradation have not yet sufficiently been elucidated, the authors believe that electrochemical methods are very effective to the functionalization of material surface.