Wetting of specimens of aluminum, zirconium, silicon and titanium oxides by human blood plasma and physiological solution

Abstract

The wetting processes of ZrO₂, SiO₂, Al₂O₃ and TiO₂ oxide inorganic (distilled water)samples by biological (human blood plasma and physiological solution) and media were investigated. The wetting angles θ° were measured with an angle meter by projecting a drop onto a screen, calculating the angle between a tangent to the image of the drop and a projection of an edge line that passes through a three-phase junction point. The work of adhesion was calculated by the Dupret equation W_a = σ_lg (1 + cos θ). It is shown that the Al₂O₃, ZrO₂ and TiO₂ samples are intensively wetted by physiological solution containing 0,9% NaCl, which can be explained by the formation of readily soluble salts Al₂Cl₃, ZrCl₄ and TiCl₄ salts during their interaction with sodium chloride. Silicon chloride SiCl₄ is a chemically stable compound, and its formation blocks pores of the sample and prevents its wetting. During interaction of the oxide samples with blood plasma, protein molecules bound to water molecules form large colloidal micelles with strong intermolecular bonds, which prevents wetting of samples.