Effect of laser cladded co-doped strontium fluorapatite nanopowder coating on the antibacterial and cell attachment of Ti-6Al-4V implants for bone applications

Abstract

ABSTRACT In this study, doped strontium fluorapatite (Sr-FAP) nanopowders were synthesised by sol-gel and used as a coating to modify Ti-6Al-4V substrates through CO2 laser cladding. The Ca ions of FAP were substituted by a different amount of Sr ions to increase bone cell differentiation and antibacterial properties. Lattice parameters and crystal size values of different samples decrease with increasing the amount of Sr ion. According to the morphological results, the laser cladding Sr doped FAP nanopowders can create homogenously and crack-free coating on the Ti-6Al-4V substrates. The 0.6SrFAP nanopowder sample had a more hydrophilic nature in comparison to other Sr doped FAP nanopowders. This sample showed antibacterial properties and high cell adhesion, spreading, and viability while provided a bioactive and favourable surface for bone tissue regeneration. Therefore, 0.6SrFAP nanopowder laser cladding on the surface of Ti-6Al-4VV implants seems to be promising for further in-vivo investigations in bone applications.