Abstract
In this work, a highly ordered TiO2 nanotube array on pure titanium (Ti) was prepared by anodization. The effects of the applied voltage and anodization time on the microstructure of the TiO2 nanotube arrays were investigated, and their hydrophilicity was evaluated by the water contact angle measurement. It was found that a highly ordered array of TiO2 nanotubes can be formed on the surface of pure Ti by anodized under the applied voltage of 20 V and the anodization time in the range of 6-12 h, and the nanotube diameter and length can be regulated by anodization time. The as-prepared TiO2 nanotubes were in an amorphous structure. After annealing at 550°C for 3 h, the amorphous TiO2 can be transformed to the anatase TiO2 through crystallization. The anatase TiO2 array exhibited a greatly improved hydrophilicity, depending on the order degree of the array and the diameter of the nanotubes. The sample anodized at 20 V for 12 h and then annealed at 550°C for 3 h exhibited a superhydrophilicity due to its highly ordered anatase TiO2 nanotube array with a tube diameter of 103.5 nm.
Highlights
Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have a broad application prospect as implant materials due to their high specific strength, low elastic modulus, excellent corrosion behaviour, and biocompatibility [1,2,3,4,5]
A highly ordered TiO2 nanotube array on pure Ti was prepared by anodization, and their hydrophilicity was evaluated by contact angle of water droplet measurement
The main conclusions are as follows: (1) A highly orderly TiO2 nanotube array was successfully prepared on a pure Ti surface by the anodization oxidation method
Summary
Titanium (Ti) and its alloys have a broad application prospect as implant materials due to their high specific strength, low elastic modulus, excellent corrosion behaviour, and biocompatibility [1,2,3,4,5]. The array is highly ordered with a uniform tube diameter, which can effectively promote the specific surface area and adsorption capacity of the Ti alloy. The surface with the special structure has received great attention, and much work has been done on the impact of the nanotube TiO2 array on the biocompatibility of Ti alloys. Oh et al [12] indicated that the cell adhesion could be improved by up to 400% due to the mechanical interlocking between the HAP coating and the nanotube TiO2 layer. Park et al [13] reported that the orderly array of TiO2 nanotubes on a Ti alloy surface could promote its corrosion resistance in simulated body fluids. Nanotubes fabricated on implant material surfaces provide great potential in promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. To establish the optimum nanotopography of nanotubes for favorable cell response, further studies are needed to find the optimum length and diameter of nanotubes for recognition and adherence by the sensing element of a bone cell
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