Abstract
The primary aim of this study was to analyse the correlation between topographical features and chemical composition with the changes in wettability and the surface free energy of microstructured titanium (Ti) surfaces. Periodic microscale structures on the surface of Ti substrates were fabricated via direct laser interference patterning (DLIP). Radio-frequency magnetron sputter deposition of ultrathin nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) films was used to form an additional nanoscale grain morphology on the microscale-structured Ti surfaces to generate multiscale surface structures. The surface characteristics were evaluated using atomic force microscopy and contact angle and surface free energy measurements. The structure and phase composition of the HA films were investigated using X-ray diffraction. The HA-coated periodic microscale structured Ti substrates exhibited a significantly lower water contact angle and a larger surface free energy compared with the uncoated Ti substrates. Control over the wettability and surface free energy was achieved using Ti substrates structured via the DLIP technique followed by the deposition of a nanostructured HA coating, which resulted in the changes in surface chemistry and the formation of multiscale surface topography on the nano- and microscale.
Highlights
A large number of devices and implants are used in medicine [1]
The three-dimensional roughness parameters surface roughness: (Sa) and square roughness (Sq) tended to decrease after deposition of the HA coating
Uncoated Ti surfaces with parallel grooves and a periodicity of 4.5 μm resulted in a static water contact angle of 99◦ ± 2◦, which confirmed the hydrophobic nature of the surface
Summary
A large number of devices and implants are used in medicine [1]. Biomaterials in the form of implants (e.g., ligaments, vascular grafts, heart valves, intraocular lenses, and dental implants) and medical devices (e.g., pacemakers, biosensors, and artificial hearts) are extensively used to replace and/or restore the function of disturbed or deteriorated tissues or organs, and improve the quality of life and longevity of human beings [2,3]. Implants should be mechanically resistant, but should be able to rapidly heal the host organism. When implanted into living tissue, all materials initiate a host response, and this represents the first steps of tissue repair [4,5]. In addition to determining some of the deformation and strength characteristics of Materials 2016, 9, 862; doi:10.3390/ma9110862 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials
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