Surface modification of Ti6Al7Nb alloy by Al2O3 nanofilms and calcium phosphate coatings

Abstract

Here we have modified Ti6Al7Nb alloy by Al2O3 using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and apatite coating electrodeposited and by Simulated Body Fluid method. X-Ray Fluorescence (FRX), Energy Scattering X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD), Raman Spectroscopy and Force Microscopy Atomic (AFM) revealed the chemical and crystallographic composition of Ti6Al7Nb before and after surface modifications. A laminar apatite crystal in the form of plates and irregular crystals, with the appearance of flakes growing from the center to the edge and resembling flowers were produced closed to synthetic apatite's. In vitro biological tests showed that surface modifications in the titanium alloy Ti6Al7Nb improved the bioactivity attributed to the formation of microporosity favorable to the greater production of total proteins and, also, influenced the nucleation of apatite's at the nanoscale. The results presented here confirmed the non-cytotoxicity, strongly supporting the application of these nanofilms in tissue engineering.