Graphene-coated Ti-Nb-Ta-Mn foams: A promising approach towards a suitable biomaterial for bone replacement.

The design of bone implants with proper biological and mechanical properties remains a challenge in medical implantology. The use of bioactive coatings has been shown to improve the biocompatibility of the implant surface. In this study, a new approach including porous scaffolds, β-Ti alloys and nanocoatings to design new bone implants is presented. Porous Ti-Nb-Ta-xMn alloys (x: 2, 4, and 6 wt%) substrates were obtained by powder metallurgy and the effect of the porosity and Mn content on mechanical properties was studied. CVD single-layer graphene was transferred onto the porous substrates that presented the best mechanical response (x: 4 wt%) for further evaluation of in vitro cell behavior (biocompatibility and cell adhesion). Cytotoxicity and biocompatibility tests confirmed that cell adhesion and proliferation were successfully achieved on graphene-coated porous substrates, confirming these systems are potential candidates for using in partial bone tissue replacement. • Ti-based alloy foam is proposed and studied for bone implant applications. • Porous TiNbTaMn samples were obtained by powder metallurgy and space holder technique. • 4 wt% Mn content favors the presence of Ti β-phase and lower Young's modulus. • CVD-grown graphene coating was used to improve the biocompatibility of Ti alloy. • Graphene coating promotes cell growth and adhesion on Ti-35Nb-29Ta-4Mn substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]