J. Biomater. Sci. Polymer Edn, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 593–621 (2002) Ó VSP 2002. Also available online - www.vsppub.co m Review Surface analysis methods for characterizing polymeric biomaterials K. MERRETT 1 , R. M. CORNELIUS 2 , W. G. MCCLUNG 2 , L. D. UNSWORTH 2 and H. SHEARDOWN 2;¤ 1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1N 6N5, Canada 2 Departments of Chemical Engineering and Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L7, Canada Received 7 December 2001; accepted 1 April 2002 Abstract—Surface properties have an enormous effect on the success or failure of a biomaterial device, thus signifying the considerable importance of and the need for adequate characterization of the biomaterial surface. Microscopy techniques used in the analysis of biomaterial surfaces include scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy. Spectroscopic techniques include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier Transform infrared attenuated total reection and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The measurement of contact angles, although one of the earlier techniques developed remains a very useful tool in the evaluation of surface hydrophobicity/ hydrophilicity. This paper provides a brief, easy to understand synopsis of these and other techniques including emerging techniques, which are proving useful in the analysis of the surface properties of polymeric biomaterials. Cautionary statements have been made, numerous authors referenced and examples used to show the specic type of information that can be acquired from the different techniques used in the characterization of polymeric biomaterials surfaces. Key words : Surface characterization; SEM; AFM; XPS; SIMS; contact angle; ellipsometry. INTRODUCTION Surface properties can have an enormous effect on the success or failure of a bioma- terial device. It is widely accepted that such factors as surface preparation and the subsequent characterization are central issues in biomaterials research [1]. Charac- terization of biomaterial surface properties should be thorough. While acknowledg- ing that individual research groups may be limited, due to a variety of factors, in the availability of surface characterization techniques, it must be recognized that such ¤ To whom correspondence should be addressed. Phone: 905 525-9140 ext. 24794. Fax: 905 521 1350. E-mail: sheardow@mcmaster.ca