Nano-film and Coating for Biomedical Application Prepared by Plasma-based Technologies

Abstract

AbstractNanosized materials have been widely applied in biomedical engineering due to their unique nano-effects. In this work, nano-TiO2 coatings and ZrO2 films were prepared using plasma technologies including plasma spraying and cathodic arc plasma deposition. The microstructure the coatings and films were assessed using TEM, SEM, and AFM. Their bioactivity and biocompatibility were evaluated using simulated body fluid soaking tests and cell culturing. Films and coatings with nanostructured surfaces can be obtained using plasma spraying and cathodic arc plasma deposition. The nanostructured surfaces can endow the films and coatings excellent bioactivity and biocompatibility. The UV-illuminated and hydrogen implanted nano-TiO2 coatings and ZrO2 films can induce bone-like apatite formation on their surfaces after immersion in a simulated body fluid for a certain period of time. The nano-TiO2 coating has better cytocompatibility than the micro-TiO2 coating, and the cytocompatibility can be improved by UV-illumination and hydrogen implantation. The bioactivity of the ZrO2 thin film deteriorates after thermal treated. The size of the particles on the surface of the film is thought to be one of the key factors responsible for the bioactivity.