Simulated Body Fluid Research Articles

Surface treatments on 3D printed Ti6Al4V biomedical plates to enhance corrosion resistance in simulated physiological solutions and under inflammatory conditions

Ti6Al4V biomedical plates were fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion using different process parameters. A slight influence of the laser energy density on mechanical properties and microstructure was revealed. Chemical etching allowed to make the surface of 3D samples uniform removing also spheres of unfused material. After etching some samples were anodized in calcium acetate and β-glycerolphosphate containing solution to grow a Ca and P containing porous TiO2 layers. The chemical etching improved the corrosion resistance of the alloy in simulated body fluid, while only after anodizing the alloys resulted to be corrosion resistant under inflammatory and severe inflammatory conditions.

Mussel-inspired bifunctional coating for long-term stability of oral implants

Peri-implantitis and osseointegration failure present considerable challenges to the prolonged stability of oral implants. To address these issues, there is an escalating demand for a resilient implant surface coating that seamlessly integrates antimicrobial features to combat bacteria-induced peri‑implantitis, and osteogenic properties to promote bone formation. In the present study, a bio-inspired poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (DA-PAMAM-NH2) is synthesized by utilizing a mussel protein (DA) known for its strong adherence to various materials. Conjugating DA with PAMAM-NH2, inherently endowed with antibacterial and osteogenic properties, results in a robust and multifunctional coating. Robust adhesion between DA-PAMAM-NH2 and the titanium alloy surface is identified using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and attenuated total reflectance-infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy. Following a four-week immersion of the coated titanium alloy surface in simulated body fluid (SBF), the antimicrobial activity and superior osteogenesis of the DA-PAMAM-NH2-coated surface remain stable. In contrast, the bifunctional effects of the PAMAM-NH2-coated surface diminish after the same immersion period. In vivo animal experiments validate the enduring antimicrobial and osteogenic properties of DA-PAMAM-NH2-coated titanium alloy implants, significantly enhancing the long-term stability of the implants. This innovative coating holds promise for addressing the multifaceted challenges associated with peri‑implantitis and osseointegration failure in titanium-based implants. Statement of significanceProlonged stability of oral implants remains a clinically-significant challenge. Peri-implantitis and osseointegration failure are two important contributors to the poor stability of oral implants. The present study developed a mussel-bioinspired poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (DA-PAMAM-NH2) for a resilient implant surface coating that seamlessly integrates antimicrobial features to combat bacteria-induced peri‑implantitis, and osteogenic properties to promote bone formation to extend the longevity of oral implants.

Polyethylene Glycol/Pullulan-Based Carrier for Silymarin Delivery and Its Potential in Biomedical Applications.

Restoring the structures and functions of tissues along with organs in human bodies is a topic gathering attention nowadays. These issues are widely discussed in the context of regenerative medicine. Excipients/delivery systems play a key role in this topic, guaranteeing a positive impact on the effectiveness of the drugs or therapeutic substances supplied. Advances in materials engineering, particularly in the development of hydrogel biomaterials, have influenced the idea of creating an innovative material that could serve as a carrier for active substances while ensuring biocompatibility and meeting all the stringent requirements imposed on medical materials. This work presents the preparation of a natural polymeric material based on pullulan modified with silymarin, which belongs to the group of flavonoids and derives from a plant called Silybum marianum. Under UV light, matrices with a previously prepared composition were crosslinked. Before proceeding to the next stage of the research, the purity of the composition of the matrices was checked using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Incubation tests lasting 19 days were carried out using incubation fluids such as simulated body fluid (SBF), Ringer's solution, and artificial saliva. Changes in pH, electrolytic conductivity, and weight were observed and then used to determine the sorption capacity. During incubation, SBF proved to be the most stable fluid, with a pH level of 7.6-7.8. Sorption tests showed a high sorption capacity of samples incubated in both Ringer's solution and artificial saliva (approximately 350%) and SBF (approximately 300%). After incubation, the surface morphology was analyzed using an optical microscope for samples demonstrating the greatest changes over time. The active substance, silymarin, was released using a water bath, and then the antioxidant capacity was determined using the Folin-Ciocâlteu test. The tests carried out proved that the material produced is active and harmless, which was shown by the incubation analysis. The continuous release of the active ingredient increases the biological value of the biomaterial. The material requires further research, including a more detailed assessment of its balance; however, it demonstrates promising potential for further experiments.

Influence of Uric Acid on the Corrosion Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid

Influence of Uric Acid on the Corrosion Behavior of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid

Topographical hard protective coating for joint replacement implants

Joint replacement surgery, essential for managing joint diseases, requires improvements in tribocorrosion performance to ensure surgical success and longevity of joint implants. Transition-metal light-element (TMLE) compound coatings, known for their high hardness and chemical stability, have been extensively researched and applied for surface protection of joint implants. However, these coatings typically lack a lubrication phase, leading to high friction coefficients and severe corrosion wear, which makes long-term effective protection challenging. A promising approach is to utilize the natural lubricating proteins present in body fluids, which are continuously available and can thus address long-term service issues of TMLE coatings. In this work, we utilized micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology to develop an underlying morphology, then conformally deposited a TiB2 layer, resulting in a cratered dual-layer TiB2/MAO coating. This unique cratered dual-layer structure not only preserves the high hardness and wear resistance of TiB2 but also aims to (1) absorb wear particles to prevent abrasive wear and (2) increase surface energy to optimize protein lubrication capacity. Consequently, the TiB2/MAO coating exhibits low friction coefficients and wear rates in protein-containing simulated body fluids. Furthermore, the dual-layer TiB2/MAO coating demonstrates excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This dual-layer coating design synergistically combines the superior intrinsic properties of material with unique structural construction, while also harnessing continuously available external proteins as lubricants to further optimize performance, thereby introducing an advanced strategy for developing protective coatings for implant materials.

Structure and Wet-Sliding Characterization of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion Ti-6Al-4V Biomedical Alloy: Effect of Laser Surface Modification

The effect of laser modification on the structure and wet (Simulated Body Fluid)-sliding behaviour of a Laser Powder Bed Fusion alloy Ti-6Al-4V was studied. The scanning of 400 W fiber laser with a speed of 10 mms –1 led to a surface melting with an increase in hardness (780–820 HV) and 20%-decrease in wear. Under the scanning speeds of 40–60 mms –1 the surface was refined almost without melting to provide a 7–8% increase in hardness/wear resistance accompanied by a decrease in the friction coefficient

Evaluation of titanium dioxide and tantalum pentoxide nanoparticles for coating NiTi archwires in orthodontics: An in vitro study

Background: This study aims to enhance the biocompatibility of Nickel–Titanium (NiTi) alloy by developing a new coating using titanium dioxide (TiO2) and titanium pentoxide (Ta2O5) through direct current (DC) reactive sputtering technology. Materials and methods: Two distinct coating materials, namely, TiO2 and Ta2O5, were used to fabricate NiTi orthodontic archwires with improved surface properties. TiO2 nanoparticles, with thickness ranging from 21.90 nm to 31.93 nm, were deposited onto NiTi alloy substrates through DC reactive sputtering deposition under different power conditions. Results: X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy validated the uniformity and morphology of the coatings. Immersion tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed significant hydroxyapatite layer growth on TiO2-coated NiTi, especially at a sputtering power of 240 W. Reduced nickel ion release was observed on TiO2 nanoparticles with a thickness of 21.90 nm at 50 W sputtering power compared with 31.93 nm-thick nanoparticles at 240 W. Ta2O5 thin films were deposited on NiTi substrates through DC magnetron reactive sputtering at ~100 °C with a deposition power of 50 W. Structural and morphological analyses through optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy revealed the homogeneity and low roughness of the coatings. Biocompatibility assessments in artificial saliva and SBF solutions established that Ta2O5-coated NiTi alloys exhibited superior electrochemical behavior, enhanced corrosion resistance, and diminished Ni ion release compared with uncoated specimens. Conclusion: TiO2 and Ta2O5 coatings not only improved the biocompatibility of NiTi orthodontic archwires but also presented a promising path for advanced biomedical applications. These coatings have potential in improving the cellular behavior and performance of NiTi-based orthodontic devices.

Synthesis and evaluation of nanosized aluminum MOF encapsulating Umbelliferon: assessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing potential in an earthworm model

Nanoporous aluminum metal–organic framework (Al-MOF) was synthesized via solvothermal methods and employed as a carrier matrix for in vitro drug delivery of Umbelliferon (Um). The encapsulated Um was gradually released over seven days at 37 °C, using simulated body fluid phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at pH 7.4 as the release medium. The drug release profile suggests the potential of Al-MOF nanoparticles as effective drug delivery carriers. Structural and chemical analyses of Um-loaded Al-MOF nanoparticles (Um-Al MOF) were conducted using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to investigate the thermal stability of the Al-MOF nanoparticles, while Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was utilized to assess their morphological features. Um-Al MOF nanoparticles demonstrated notable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties compared to Um and Al-MOF nanoparticles individually. Moreover, they exhibited significant enhancement in wound healing in an earthworm model. These findings underscore the potential of Al-MOF nanoparticles as a promising drug delivery system, necessitating further investigations to explore their clinical applicability.

Physical, chemical, and biological property of silk reinforced polycaprolactone composites for bone tissue engineering

To develop a biodegradable implantable bone material with compatible mechanics with the bone tissue, providing a new biomaterial for clinical bone repair and regeneration. Silk reinforced polycaprolactone composites (SPC) containing 20%, 40%, and 60% silk were prepared by layer-by-layer assembly and hot-pressing technology. Macroscopic morphology was observed and microstructure were observed by scanning electron microscopy, compressive mechanical properties were detected by compression test, surface wettability was detected by surface contact angle test, degradation of materials was observed after soaking in PBS for 180 days, and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells was detected by cell counting kit 8 assay. Six Sprague Dawley rats were subcutaneously implanted with polycaprolactone (PCL) and 20%-SPC, respectively. Masson staining was used to analyze the in vivo degradation behavior and vascularization effect within 180 days. The pore defects of the three SPC sections were relatively few. In the range of 20% to 60%, as the silk content increased and the PCL content decreased, the interlayer spacing of silk fabric decreased, and the fibers almost covered the entire cross-section. The compressive modulus and compressive strength of SPC showed an increasing trend, and the compressive modulus of 60%-SPC was slightly lower than that of 40%-SPC. There were significant differences in compressive modulus and compressive strength between the materials ( P<0.05). In vitro simulated fluid degradation experiments showed that the mass loss of the three types of SPC after 180 days of degradation was within 5%, with the highest mass loss observed in 60%-SPC. The differences in mass loss between the materials were significant ( P<0.05). As the silk content increased, the static water contact angle of each material gradually decreased, and all could promote the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells. The subcutaneous degradation experiment in rats showed that 20%-SPC began to degrade at 30 days after implantation, and material degradation and vascularization were significant at 180 days, which was in sharp contrast to PCL. SPC has the mechanical and hydrophilic properties that are compatible with bone tissue. It maintains its mechanical strength for a long time in a simulated body fluid environment in vitro, and achieves dynamic synchronization of material degradation, tissue regeneration, and vascularization through the body's immune regulation mechanism in vivo. It is expected to provide a new type of implant material for clinical bone repair.

Novel 3D Printed Biomaterials Based on Fish Scale Collagen and Plant Extracts and Its Hemostatic Efficacy

AbstractThis study focused on 3D printing‐preparation of novel biomaterials based on fish scale collagen and the following plant extracts: Eclipta alba L. Hassk leaf (EA), Piper betle L. leaf (PB), Perilla frutescens L. Britt leaf (PF), and Styphnolobium japonicum L. Schott flower bud (SJ). The characterizations of the obtained biomaterials were analyzed using infrared spectroscopy and stereo microscopy. Additionally, assessments of the biomaterials were conducted on the water contact angle, simulated body fluid contact angle, scratch resistance, color changes, and swelling degree in simulated body fluid. Furthermore, in‐vitro blood clotting time and the anti‐inflammatory ability of these biomaterials were also performed. The results indicated that the plant extracts contributed to modifying collagen, significantly improving the scratch resistance and water contact angle of the collagen/plant extract biomaterials. The plant extracts were dispersed consistently with the collagen matrix, impacting the vibrations of specific functional groups of collagen. Collagen/plant extract dressings exhibited great biocompatibility and anti‐inflammatory. The in‐vitro tests demonstrated that the ethanol EA extract notably enhanced the hemostatic effectiveness of collagen, suggesting the potential of collagen/plant extract biomaterials in hemostatic applications.

L-cysteine capped MoS2 QDs for dual-channel imaging and superior Fe3+ ion sensing in biological systems.

MoS2 quantum dots (MQDs) with an average size of 1.9 ± 0.7 nm were synthesized using a microwave-assisted method. Absorbance studies confirmed characteristic transitions of MoS2, with absorption humps at 260-280 nm and 300-330 nm, and a band gap of 3.6 ± 0.1 eV. Fluorescence emission studies showed dominant blue and some green emissions under 315 nm excitation, with an absolute quantum yield of ∼9%. The MQDs exhibited fluorescence stability over time after repeated quenching cycles across various pH and media systems. In vitro toxicity tests indicated cytocompatibility, with around 80% cell survival at 1000 mg L-1. Confocal imaging demonstrated significant uptake and vibrant fluorescence in cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines. The MQDs showed strong selectivity towards Fe3+ ions, with a detection limit of 27.61 ± 0.25 nM. Recovery rates for Fe3+ in phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and simulated body fluid (SBF) systems were >97% and >98%, respectively, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) within 3%, indicating precision. These findings suggest that MQDs have high potential for diagnostic applications involving Fe3+ detection due to their fluorescence stability, robustness, enhanced cell viability, and dual-channel imaging properties.

Износостойкость и коррозионное поведение Cu-Ti-покрытий в растворе SBF

Introduction. Currently, titanium and its alloys have become the most popular metal implantable biomaterials. However, the main disadvantage of titanium alloys is low wear resistance due to high viscosity. It is known that copper-titanium coatings effectively improve the antibacterial properties of titanium alloy and at the same time increase its wear resistance. Purpose of the work is to study the effects of a solution simulating body fluid on corrosion properties, friction coefficient and the wear of copper-titanium coatings obtained by electrospark deposition method of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Method. A non-localized electrode consisting of copper and titanium granules in various ratios was used to form copper-titanium coatings on a titanium alloy by electrospark deposition. The structure of the coatings was examined using a DRON-7 X-ray diffractometer in Cu-Kα radiation and an X-max 80 energy dispersive spectrometer. The antibacterial activity of the deposited Cu-Ti coatings was studied on a non-pathogenic gram-negative culture of Escherichia coli. Polarization tests in SBF solution were carried out using a P-40X potentiostat with an impedance measurement module. The metal content in the SBF solution after immersion of the samples was measured using an ICP-MS 2000 mass spectrometer. The tribological characteristics of the coatings according to the ASTM G99-17 standard using the “ball-on-disk” scheme with sliding friction in the SBF solution at loads of 10 and 25 N were examined. Results and discussions. It is shown that the bactericidal activity of Cu-Ti coated samples to a non-pathogenic culture of Escherichia coli increased monotonously with an increase in copper content. With copper concentration increasing, the corrosion current density of the coatings increased from 3.455 to 17.570 μA/cm2. It is shown that the SBF solution accelerates the wear of a titanium alloy many times over due to its interaction with the electrolyte via the oxidative wear mechanism. The use of Cu-Ti coatings allows reducing the friction coefficient and greatly decreasing the wear of Ti-6Al-4V alloy in the presence of an electrolyte.

Characterization, mechanical, corrosion, and in vitro apatite-formation ability properties of hydroxyapatite-reduced graphene oxide coatings on Ti6Al4V alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Hydroxyapatite-reduced graphene oxide (HA/rGO) nanocomposite coatings were developed on Ti6Al4V alloy using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The PEO electrolyte comprised calcium acetate (C4H6CaO4) and calcium glycerophosphate (C3H7O5CaP). Prior to integrating reduced graphene oxide into the coating solution, parameters such as voltage and current density were optimized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of various current densities and graphene concentrations on coating properties was analyzed. Coating phase structures, surface morphologies, functional groups, and chemical compositions were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of graphene in the coatings. Surface morphology examinations revealed that surface cracks appeared at voltages above 350 V due to thermal stresses. Increasing current density reduced the number of porosities but increased pore size. Adding graphene to the solution to form HA/rGO coatings further decreased both the number and size of porosities. XRD analysis identified phases of titanium, anatase, rutile, titanium phosphide, tri-calcium phosphate (TCP), and hydroxyapatite in the coatings. Corrosion properties were assessed via potentiodynamic polarization tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution. Tribological and mechanical properties were evaluated by pin-on-disk and microhardness, respectively. The in vitro apatite-formation ability of the coatings was assessed by immersion in SBF at 37 °C, with ion concentration changes measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). Results indicated that increasing current density reduced porosities and increased the Ca/P ratio.

Comparison of Key Properties of Ag-TiO2 and Hydroxyapatite-Ag-TiO2 Coatings on NiTi SMA.

To functionalize the NiTi alloy, multifunctional innovative nanocoatings of Ag-TiO2 and Ag-TiO2 doped with hydroxyapatite were engineered on its surface. The coatings were thoroughly characterized, focusing on surface topography and key functional properties, including adhesion, surface wettability, biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, and corrosion resistance. The electrochemical corrosion kinetics in a simulated body fluid and the mechanisms were analyzed. The coatings exhibited hydrophilic properties and were biocompatible with fibroblast and osteoblast cells while also demonstrating antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. epidermidis. The coatings adhered strongly to the NiTi substrate, with superior adhesion observed in the hydroxyapatite-doped layers. Conversely, the Ag-TiO2 layers showed enhanced corrosion resistance.

Maneuvering the mineralization of self-assembled peptide nanofibers for designing mechanically-stiffened self-healable composites toward bone-mimetic ECM.

Extracellular matrix (ECM) elasticity remains a crucial parameter to determine cell-material interactions (viz. adhesion, growth, and differentiation), cellular communication, and migration that are essential to tissue repair and regeneration. Supramolecular peptide hydrogels with their 3-dimensional porous network and tuneable mechanical properties have emerged as an excellent class of ECM-mimetic biomaterials with relevant dynamic attributes and bioactivity. Here, we demonstrate the design of minimalist amyloid-inspired peptide amphiphiles, CnPA (n = 6, 8, 10, 12) with tuneable peptide nanostructures that are efficiently biomineralized and cross-linked using bioactive silicates. Such hydrogel composites, CnBG exhibit excellent mechanical attributes and possess excellent self-healing abilities and collagen-like strain-stiffening ability as desired for bone ECM mimetic scaffold. The composites exhibited the formation of a hydroxyapatite mineral phase upon incubation in a simulated body fluid that rendered mechanical stiffness akin to the hydroxyapatite-bridged collagen fibers to match the bone tissue elasticity eventually. In a nutshell, peptide nanostructure-guided temporal effects and mechanical attributes demonstrate C8BG to be an optimal composite. Finally, such constructs feature the potential for adhesion, proliferation of U2OS cells, high alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteoconductivity.

Effects of B2O3 on the structural evolution and biological behavior of borate bioactive glasses by sol-gel and melting methods

Borate bioactive glasses (BGs) have become indispensable in biomedicine for their exceptional bioactivity and tunable degradation characteristics. This study presents the synthesis and comprehensive evaluation of BGs within the xB2O3-CaO-Na2O-K2O-MgO-P2O5 system, featuring varying compositions of B2O3 (x = 40, 55, and 70 mol.%), using both sol-gel and melting techniques. A systematic investigation of their structural evolution, degradation kinetics, apatite-forming capabilities, and cytotoxicity has been conducted. The results demonstrate that the borate BGs with elevated B2O3 content significantly accelerates the degradation rate and enhances bioactivity across both synthesis methods, as B2O3 content increases from 40 to 70 mol%. Notably, the sol-gel derived BG samples demonstrate pronounced degradation, with mass loss reaching up to 90 %, and superior hydroxyapatite formation in simulated body fluid, surpassing the performance of their melting-derived counterparts. Cytotoxicity assays with MC3T3-E1 cells reveal no significant inhibitory effects from any of the borate bioglasses. Moreover, ab initio molecular dynamics simulations have been utilized to elucidate the relationship between structural alterations and in vitro bioactivity, with a particular emphasis on the boron coordination number. These findings provide a promising strategy for the development of borate BGs with tailored degradation profiles and excellent bioactivity, making them as strong candidates for various biomedical applications.

Functionalized graphene nano-platelet reinforced magnesium-based biocomposites for potential implant applications

Magnesium (Mg) is an attractive candidate for fracture fixation implants due to its bioabsorbability. However, their mechanical properties under load and in biological environments appear to be insufficient, and bacterial biofilm formation may further complicate the situation. In this paper, for the first time, functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (FGNPs) as reinforcement in Mg-3Zn-0.5Zr (ZK30) alloy matrix were homogeneously prepared using semi-powder metallurgy (SPM) method, and subsequently, the composites were prepared using spark plasma processing (SPS). The compressive strength test was performed for different composites before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The ZK30/0.5FGNPs composite shows a significantly higher ultimate compressive strength (UCS) compared to the other composites, 285 ± 11 MPa before and 220 ± 9 MPa after exposure to the SBF environment, compared to the ZK30 alloys; which shows 195 ± 8 MPa before and 135 ± 5 MPa after 14 days of exposure to SBF environment. Furthermore, after evaluating the antibacterial activity, it was proved that adding FGNPs nanofillers to the ZK30 matrix could impressively prevent the growth and colonization of Escherichia coli ( E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus). Cytotoxicity studies also confirm that composites with low amounts of FGNPs do not show cytotoxic behavior against MG63 cells, while higher loadings of FGNPs lead to toxicity. In general, according to this research results, ZK30/0.5FGNPs composite can be used for the application of loaded implants and the treatment of bone infection.

Electrochemically assisted sol-gel deposition of bioactive gels for biomedical applications

AbstractSo far, the sol-gel process has been available to prepare precursor gels of bioactive glasses with various compositions. In this report, we described a novel coating method of bioactive gels on a titanium substrate where the sol-gel transition is controlled by applying external electric fields. The application of a constant current of 10 mA/cm2 in an acidic sol containing pre-hydrolyzed tetraethoxysilane, calcium nitrate, and ammonium dihydrogen phosphate led to the deposition of gels on the titanium cathodes due to the generation of OH– by water electrolysis as a catalyst of the sol-gel transition. The obtained gels, which were characterized to be amorphous and consisted of Si, Ca, and P, covered the titanium substrates as a coating. The bioactivity of the gels deposited was confirmed by soaking in a simulated body fluid (SBF) up to 7 days, suggesting that the electrochemically assisted sol-gel process is promising for providing bioactive coatings on metallic implants. Graphical Abstract

A Study on Tailoring Silver Release from Micro‐Arc Oxidation Coating Fabricated on Titanium

This study is initiated with the aim of regulating the release of silver (Ag) as an antibacterial agent from the micro‐arc oxidation (MAO) coating. Herein, an external 5 wt% Tin(II) chloride (SnCl2) containing biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) layer is formed on the 0.8 wt% Ag‐incorporated MAO coating by the dip coating method. 5 wt% SnCl2 addition into PCL provides a steady release of Ag into concentrated simulated body fluid (1.5X SBF) from the underlying MAO coating at 37 °C. When the Ag release rate is taken into consideration, it is quantified as 0.0089 and 0.0586 ppm day−1 for PCL‐covered MAO and PCL‐free MAO coatings, respectively. It is finally concluded that the preliminary result of this study can be promising for minimizing the in vivo adverse effects of Ag+ ions arising from rapid release as well as maintaining antibacterial efficacy for prolonged periods, which is ideal for preventing the risk of postimplantation infections.

Investigation of sliding wear, electrochemical corrosion, and biocompatibility of Ti-Nb alloys for biomedical applications

This research emphasizes the development of biocompatible Ti-xNb (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 wt.%) alloys through powder metallurgy to attain a lower elastic modulus, high strength, low wear, and high corrosion resistance appropriate for biomedical implants. The developed alloys were comprehensively analyzed through microstructural, physical, mechanical, electrochemical, biological, and tribological investigations to assess their suitability by comparing their properties with commercially pure titanium (cpTi). The outcomes demonstrate, powder metallurgy is an effective route for developing Ti-Nb alloys with several desirable properties. Incorporating niobium (Nb) into titanium (Ti) introduces the β phase within the alloys, which increases with Nb concentration and contributes to decreasing the elastic modulus to as low as 43.47 ± 4.9 GPa. All Ti-Nb alloys exhibits higher hardness and compressive strength than cpTi, with values of 403.23 ± 21.38 HV and 1322.45 ± 25.64 MPa obtained for the Ti-10Nb alloy. A lower concentration of Nb shows comparable corrosion resistance of the Ti-Nb alloys to cpTi, whereas a higher Nb concentration is unfavorable. Furthermore, the tribological findings demonstrate superior antifriction and antiwear properties in all Ti-Nb alloys compared to cpTi. Notably, Ti-10Nb displays outstanding wear resistance with a 41.82% lower friction coefficient in dry conditions and 31.11% in simulated body fluid (SBF), along with 81.08% reduction in wear volume in dry conditions and 63.11% in SBF compared to cpTi. Among all developed alloys, Ti-10Nb exhibits various desired properties, suggesting its potential as an alternative to cpTi for biomedical implant applications.