A comprehensive study on electrophoretic deposition of a novel type of collagen and hexagonal boron nitride reinforced hydroxyapatite/chitosan biocomposite coating.

A novel family of Hydroxyapatite/Chitosan/Collagen/h-BN biocomposite coatings were successfully produced by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). A new type of polyelectrolyte consisting of water, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol was used for EPD process. Collagen (main ligament of human bone) and h-BN (a promising solid lubricant) has been used as supporting material s for biocomposite coatings. The effect of h-BN concentration in the EPD suspension has been investigated. Crystallographic, morphological, spectroscopical, corrosion protection performance, thermal behaviour, mechanical and tribological, topographical and in-vitro biocompatibility investigations have been carried out by XRD, FE-SEM, FTIR, Tafel extrapolation and EIS, TGA/DSC, nanoindentation and nanoscratch, SPM and 12-weeks of immersion into r-SBF, respectively. Corrosion protection performance and mechanical and tribological properties of the coatings have been improved with increase in h-BN concentration in deposition suspension up to 5 g·L −1 and worsen with further increase. The results are encouraging for in-vivo applications of HA/CTS/COL/h-BN biocomposite coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]