Review of laser based biomimetic and bioactive Ca–P coatings

Abstract

Human bone is typically a hierarchical organisation at different length scales ranging from nanoscale to mesoscale. Synthetic biomaterials mimicking this structural aspect of the bone and thereby facilitating structure and function of damaged or dysfunctional tissues is the current trend in designing of biomaterials. Under such trend artificial biomaterials with biocompatible surface coatings and engineered three-dimensional features ranging from nanoscale to mesosclae to support cells and tissue growth is becoming a reality. In light of this, the present review provides a description of laser induced coating techniques, one of several methods of design and synthesis of biosurfaces. Especially, the laser induced coating technique to produce a bioactive and biomimetic calcium phosphate (Ca–P) based ceramic coating on Ti based alloys is the focus of present discussion. The two common coating methodologies namely, the pulsed laser deposition and direct melting using a pulsed and continuous wave laser are the subject of discussion. The formation of multiscale features, microstructures and phase evolution due to such coatings are discussed. Finally, the concept of laser based interference patterning as a future tool to explore these kinds of coatings is highlighted. Attempts are also made to demonstrate the effectiveness of these coatings in bioenvironment.