Optimization and Characterization of Anatase Formed on Anodized Titanium in Sulfuric Acid

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) is widely used in dental and orthopedic implants because of its good biocombatibility and high corrosion resistance. Titanium oxide (TiO2) has shown to exhibit strong physicochemical bonding between Ti implant and living bone because of its ability to induce bone-like apatite in a body environment. Ti is always coated by an oxide surface layer of 1.5-10 nm thickness. TiO2 crystalline structures; anatase and rutile present several distinctive features, such as photocatalytic behaviour, superhydrophilicity and biocompatible properties. Anodic oxidation is used to modify the surface of pure titanium in a sulphuric acid electrolyte in order to maximize and characterize the TiO2 anatase crystalline phase. In the present work, thick films of the anatase polymorph of TiO2 were formed on commercially pure Ti foil under potentials 100V-140V at current densities 40 and 60 mA/cm2 for 10 min. Multiple characterisation techniques were used and found that the maximum level of significantly formed anatase intensity where no significant rutile formation is observed at potential 140 V according to Glancing angle X-ray diffraction (GAXRD). Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images have shown porous surfaces as the applied voltage increased. Water contact angle (WCA) values observed hydrophilicity on the coated surfaces with samples anodized at 120 V have the highest wettability.