Nanotubular surface and morphology of Ti-binary and Ti-ternary alloys for biocompatibility

Abstract: The nanotubular surface of Ti-binary and Ti-ternary alloys for biomaterials has been investigated using various methods of surface characterization. Binary Ti-xNb (x=10, 20, 30, and 40wt.%) and ternary Ti-30Ta-xNb (x=3, 7 and 15wt.%) alloys were prepared by using the high-purity sponges; Ti, Ta and Zr spheres. The nanotube on the alloy surface was formed in 1.0M H3PO4 with small additions of NaF (0.5 and 0.8wt.%), using a potentiostat. For cell proliferation, an MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblast was used. The surface characteristics were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Binary Ti-xZr alloys had a lamellar and a needle-like structure, whereas, ternary Ti-30Ta-xZr alloys had equiaxed grains with a lamellar martensitic α′ structure. The thickness of the needle-like laths of the α-phase increased as the Zr content increased. The nanotubes formed on the α phase and β phase showed a different size and shape appearance with Zr content. As the Zr content increased from 3 to 40wt.%, the diameter of the nanotubes in Ti-xZr and Ti-30Ta-xZr alloy decreased from 200nm to 50nm. The nanotubular Ti-30Ta-15Zr alloy surface with a diameter of 50nm provided a good osseointegration; cell proliferation, migration and differentiation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]