Our work focus on the modeling and characterization of the hydroaffinity of Si-based, topographically flat surfaces, to establish an electronic model to predict (1) surface energy and thus (2) hydrophobic or hydrophilic behavior of silicone, silicates and silicon by controlling their surface defect density and carrier concentration. One key application is to control condensation at the air/solid interface on silicone inter-occular implants for cataracts during vitro-retineal surgery. Another is hermetic nanobonding between Si-based sensors for other medical implants.

Surface composition in the first nm is characterized Ion Beam Analysis (IBA), including C and O Nuclear Resonance Analysis combined with ion channeling and Hydrogen Recoil Detection. Tapping Mode Atomic Force Micoscopy (TMAFM) provides statistical analysis of these Si-based surface topography at a length scale ranging from a few nm to several µm.  Extended atomic terraces with few edges and defects can make an insulator surface hydrophobic.  Characterization of solid surface’s water affinity via contact angle measurement using the Sessile method, together with surface analysis using TMAFM, explains the behavior of water condensation during surgery. Polymer adsorption on these surfaces alters the surface hydroaffinity., In this paper, we focus on the modification of hydroaffinity during IBA

 

 

Qian Xing*, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University/SiO2 Associates, United States
Murdock Hart, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University, United States
David Alexander Sell, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University/SiO2 Associates, United States
James Douglas Bradley, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University/SiO2 Associates, United States
Nicole Xanthippe Herbots, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University/SiO2 Associates, United States
Robert John Culbertson, Physics Dpt of Arizona State University/SiO2 Associates, United States
Clive H Sell, MD, Arizona Retina Consultants, United States
Henry Mark Kwong, Jr., MD, , 

*presenting author