Improved the in vitro cell compatibility and apatite formation of porous Ti6Al4V alloy with magnesium by plasma immersion ion implantation

Abstract

In this study, three dimensional porous Ti6Al4V (TC4) with porosity (74%) and elastic modulus (0.83±0.7GPa) was manufactured by electron beam melting method. To improve the biofunction, plasma immersion ion implantation was adopted to implant magnesium ions into it. EDX and XPS spectrums confirmed the effectiveness of implantation and magnesium existed in the form of MgO at the surface. The in vitro cell experiments of Mg-implanted TC4 alloy showed enhanced cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation, attributing to the released magnesium ions. The 14days immersion in simulated body fluid also leaded to the formation of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA), and the Mg-implanted TC4 alloy was more favorable for hydroxyapatite nucleation. In short, magnesium ions implantation was a desirable method to improve the in vitro cell compatibility and apatite formation ability of bio-inert TC4 alloy.