Inorganic material coatings and their effect on cytotoxicity

Inorganic materials have become an increasingly researched topic due to their applications in many areas especially health care. One major problem with them is the effect that their surface coatings have on cells. The same coatings that are meant to increase biocompatibility can actually invoke cytotoxicity. This tutorial review focuses on the various types of coatings and how their properties, such as electrostatic charge and hydrophobicity, affect the observed toxicity. The theorized mechanisms by which the coatings induce toxicity are also presented. Finally, the prospects for the future of this field are discussed.