Electropolishing of pure metallic titanium in a deep eutectic solvent

Abstract

This work presents a facile and efficient electropolishing of metallic titanium (Ti) in the relatively eco-friendly electrolyte of deep eutectic solvent (DES) using a mixture of choline chloride-propylene glycol (1 mol ChCl: 2 mol PG). The electropolishing process of metallic titanium was performed under potentiostatic condition (10 V for 40 min) at room temperature. Surface topography and morphology were investigated using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The promising electropolishing provides a shiny and mirror-like surface with an average surface roughness (Ra) of 37.92 nm from the parent metallic Ti with a roughness of 455.60 nm. The surface passivation after electropolishing is of the most likely acceptable mechanism for removing microscope roughness. The proposed electropolishing in the present DES electrolyte is a promising strategy for making mirror-like surface (surface resistive against corrosion) of biomedical metallic titanium.