Titanium Nitride Research Articles

Biocompatibility and Corrosion of Microplasma-Sprayed Titanium and Tantalum Coatings versus Titanium Alloy

This study investigates the in vitro biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and adhesion strength of a gas abrasive-treated Ti6Al4V alloy, alongside microplasma-sprayed titanium and tantalum coatings. Employing a novel approach in selecting microplasma spray parameters, this study successfully engineers coatings with tailored porosity, roughness, and over 20% porosity with pore sizes up to 200 μm, aiming to enhance bone in-growth and implant integration. This study introduces an innovative methodology for quantifying surface roughness using laser electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, facilitating detailed morphological analysis of both the substrate and coatings. Extensive evaluations, including tests for in vitro biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and adhesive strength, revealed that all three materials are biocompatible, with tantalum coatings exhibiting superior cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, as well as the highest corrosion resistance. Titanium coatings followed closely, demonstrating favorable osteogenic properties and enhanced roughness, which is crucial for cell behavior and attachment. These coatings also displayed superior tensile adhesive strengths (27.6 ± 0.9 MPa for Ti and 28.0 ± 4.9 MPa for Ta), surpassing the ISO 13179-1 standard and indicating a robust bond with the substrate. Our findings offer significant advancements in biomaterials for medical implants, introducing microplasma spraying as a versatile tool for customizing implant coatings, particularly emphasizing the superior performance of tantalum coatings in terms of biocompatibility, osteogenic potential, and corrosion resistance. This suggests that tantalum coatings are a promising alternative for enhancing the performance of metal implants, especially in applications demanding high biocompatibility and corrosion resistance.

Revolutionizing endodontics: Advancements in nickel-titanium instrument surfaces.

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments have become the backbone of endodontics due to their exceptional properties, superelasticity, and shape memory. However, challenges such as unexpected breakage, poor cutting efficiency, and corrosion have prompted researchers to explore innovative surface modifications to enhance their performance. This comprehensive review discusses the latest advancements in NiTi metallurgy and their impact on rotary NiTi file systems. Various surface treatment techniques, including ion implantation, cryogenic treatment (CT), thermal nitridation, electropolishing, and physical or chemical vapor deposition, have been investigated to minimize defects, boost surface hardness, and improve cyclic fatigue resistance. Ion implantation has shown promise by increasing wear resistance and cutting efficiency through nitrogen ion incorporation. Thermal nitridation has successfully formed titanium nitride (TiN) coatings, resulting in improved corrosion resistance and cutting efficiency. CT has demonstrated increased cutting efficiency and overall strength by creating a martensite transformation and finer carbide particles. Electropolishing has yielded mixed results, providing smoother surfaces but varying impacts on fatigue resistance. Physical or chemical vapor deposition has proven effective in forming TiN coatings, enhancing hardness and wear resistance. Furthermore, the concept of surface functionalization with silver ions for antibacterial properties has been explored. These advancements present an exciting future for endodontic procedures, offering the potential for enhanced NiTi instruments with improved performance, durability, and patient outcomes.

Titanium Nitride Synthesis during Double Mechanical Activation of Titanium—in Argon and in Nitrogen

Titanium Nitride Synthesis during Double Mechanical Activation of Titanium—in Argon and in Nitrogen

Analysis of Biocompatible Metallic Materials used in Medicine

The paper presents the results of the analysis of two biocompatible materials, Kirschner wires of different thicknesses. Kirschner wires (K-wires) are stainless steel pins used in surgery to fix bone fragments and to provide an anchor for skeletal traction. The K-wires are produced in different diameters. In the present work, a scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy were employed to document the microstructure of two K-wires with different thicknesses. Before observation, the wires were prepared by a standard metallographic procedure (grinding and polishing) followed by electrolytic etching. The chemical composition was determined by studying the wires using quantitative energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. It has been found that the chemical composition of the materials corresponds to Cr-Ni stainless steel. In the thick Kirschner wire (sample no. 1) a deformed microstructure after drawing was observed. Sample no. 2 (thin Kirschner wire), on the other hand, consisted of polyhedral austenitic grains, which were formed after recrystallization annealing. Furthermore, isolated microparticles were observed and assigned to titanium nitride. A Vickers hardness test was also performed on the samples. It has been found that the hardness of sample no. 1 was 428.8 HV 0.5. The average hardness of sample no. 2 was 213.4 HV 0.5. It can be concluded that recrystallization annealing decreases the hardness of the material. The K-wires with smaller diameter are thus easier to bend which facilitates their fixation in human body.

The Influence of Zirconium and Titanium Nitride Based Coatings on Tribodeformation Processes of Friction While Cutting with Carbide Inserts

The Influence of Zirconium and Titanium Nitride Based Coatings on Tribodeformation Processes of Friction While Cutting with Carbide Inserts

A study of cavitation erosion resistance of an ion nitrided titanium alloy by means of the vibration and rotating disk methods

In this work, a comparative analysis of the cavitation erosion resistance of the Ti–6.7Al–2.5Mo–1.8Cr–0.5Fe–0.25Si alloy (known as brand VT3-1) before and after low-temperature ion nitriding is carried out. Two test methods were applied, using vibrative (ASTM G-32) and rotating disk rigs, respectively. The kinetic dependences of the erosive destruction of samples of titanium alloy VT3-1 in the initial state, after ion nitriding and stainless steel AISI 321 were obtained. A study of the microstructure, hardness and surface morphology was carried out. The samples were examined using optical and scanning electron microscopy. The relationship between mass loss and cavitation erosion duration was experimentally determined and analyzed. The erosion rate on a rotating disk stand is much higher than during vibration tests. A large cavitation load gradient provides additional opportunities for analyzing the durability of materials and coatings using this method.

Hardness, adhesion, and wear behavior of magnetron cosputtered Ti:Zr-O-N thin films

Reactive magnetron sputtering was used to deposit Ti:Zr-O-N thin films, by using a single Zr target, with Ti ribbons placed on the erosion track of the Zr sputtering target. Zr-O-N thin films have been also deposited in the same chamber to be used as reference films. The number of Ti ribbons, the applied sputtering current, and the reactive gas flow were the variable parameters. The films were analyzed in terms of structural development and mechanical properties (instrumented indentation, adhesion scratch testing, and wear analysis). The films are either amorphous or composed of a mixture of crystalline phases based on zirconium and titanium oxides or nitrides. Hardness values are situated between ∼10 and 11 GPa for the reference films (deposited without Ti) and up to ∼22 GPa for one of the Ti:Zr-O-N films. The films deposited without Ti behave slightly better in terms of adhesion to the substrate in comparison to the remaining samples in relation to the occurrence of first cracks (Lc1, critical load 1) and for first delamination (Lc2, critical load 2), a phenomenon probably related to the lower hardness of these films, which can accommodate the plastic deformation caused by the diamond indenter, prior to the occurrence of delamination. Adhesion to the substrate is a critical characteristic during wear tests since some of the coatings exhibit severe delamination.

DEVELOPMENT OF OPTIMAL TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS FOR PLASMA COATING DEPOSITION

This paper considers using ion-plasma spraying of mold surfaces. This makes it possible to replace scarce and expensive tungsten-containing steels with other materials. 4Х5МФС and 5ХНМ steel grades were chosen as materials for copper alloy die-casting molds in this work. The choice of these steel grades is due to the fact that these steels do not contain tungsten due to its sharply increased scarcity and limited molybdenum content, and they also meet the requirements for the substrate material on which the titanium nitride coating is applied. Coatings were applied to samples for laboratory tests and die-casting mold parts by the condensation method with ion bombardment. Titanium nitride is applied at different partial nitrogen pressures – from 310-3 to 1 Pa to determine the required nitrogen pressure, which ensures that the working surfaces of mold parts receive coatings with the best performance haracteristics. The coatings obtained at different nitrogen pressures differ in the amount and size of the droplet phase. The largest amount of the droplet phase containing α-Ti is observed in coatings obtained at nitrogen pressures of 310-3, 310-2 Pa. An increase in nitrogen pressure (410-1, 1 Pa) significantly reduces the level of microdistortions of the crystal lattice in the coating, and its plasticity increases. In this regard, the coating's brittleness is reduced at a sufficiently high hardness. The titanium nitride coating obtained at a nitrogen pressure of 1 Pa is the most effective in protecting the working surfaces of mold parts from destruction. Laboratory tests have shown that the titanium nitride coating applied under optimal process parameters increases the corrosion resistance of mold parts to which it is applied by 3 times and the scale resistance by 2–4 times.

In-situ formation of ultra-hard titanium-based composite coatings on carbon steel through electro-spark deposition in different gas media

In the current study, ultra-hard TiC, TiN, and Ti(C,N) layers were in-situ formed on carbon steel substrate using pure titanium electrode via electro-spark deposition (ESD) in argon, nitrogen, argon/nitrogen, and air atmospheres. The synthesized coatings were characterized using various techniques, including FE-SEM/EDS, X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, microhardness and nanoindentation tests, and surface roughness measurement. Also, a thermodynamic simulation was executed to estimate the phase-stability. Fe5C2, TiN, Fe3N, and Ti2O3 were determined as the major phases formed under the argon, nitrogen, Ar/N2, and air atmospheres, respectively. The formation of martensite at the interface of the coating and substrate in all atmospheres indicates the capability of the ESD process for surface hardening. The observed discrepancies between the empirically formed phases and the thermodynamics prediction can be related to the non-equilibrium conditions of the ESD process. It was revealed that gaseous media such as argon and nitrogen serve as a protective/active environment in the titanium/steel system. It is proposed that the electro-sparking of titanium under the active nitrogen medium follows an avalanche plasma regime. Under the argon flow, FeTi intermetallic layer is formed. Whilst, electro-sparking in ambient air leads to the formation of various Fe-Ti-O compounds, as well as different TiOn oxides. On the other hand, the utilization of nitrogen gas during the ESD increases the surface roughness and the thickness of the coating, rather than the deposition under the argon flow, due to the extra heat of reactions. The dynamic reactions occur between pure titanium, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen, leading to the initial formation of Ti(C,N) at the top surface, followed by the production of titanium oxides in the middle layer. The coexistence of the super-hard Ti(C,N) with a hardness of 3130 HV at the top surface and titanium nitrides beneath it in a gradient mode effectively impedes the crack propagation.

2D Ultrathin Titanium Nitride Nanosheets as Separator Coatings for Li-S Batteries.

Transition metal nitrides (TMNs) are affirmed to be an appealing candidate for boosting the performance of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries due to their excellent conductivity, strong interaction with sulfur species, and the effective catalytic ability for conversion of polysulfides. However, the traditional bulk TMNs are difficult to achieve large active surface area and fast transport channels for electrons/ions simultaneously. Here, a 2D ultrathin geometry of titanium nitride (TiN) is realized by a facile topochemical conversion strategy, which can not only serve as an interconnected conductive platform but also expose abundant catalytic active sites. The ultrathin TiN nanosheets are coated on a commercial separator, serving as a multifunctional interlayer in Li-S batteries for hindering the polysulfide shuttle effect by strong capture and fast conversion of polysulfides, achieving a high initial capacity of 1357mAhg-1 at 0.1C and demonstrating a low capacity decay of only 0.046% per cycle over 1000 cycles at 1C.

Strong Anisotropic Order Parameters at All-Nitride Ferromagnet/Superconductor Interfaces

Proximity effects between superconductors and ferromagnets (SC/FM) hold paramount importance in comprehending the spin competition transpiring at their interfaces. This competition arises from the interplay between Cooper pairs and ferromagnetic exchange interactions. The proximity effects between transition metal nitrides (TMNs) are scarcely investigated due to the formidable challenges of fabricating high-quality SC/FM interfaces. We fabricated heterostructures comprising SC titanium nitride (TiN) and FM iron nitride (Fe3N) with precise chemical compositions and atomically well-defined interfaces. The magnetoresistance of Fe3N/TiN heterostructures shows a distinct magnetic anisotropy and strongly depends on the external perturbations. Moreover, the superconducting transition temperature T C and critical field of TiN experience notable suppression when proximity to Fe3N. We observe the intriguing competition of interfacial spin orientations near T C (∼ 1.25 K). These findings not only add a new materials system for investigating the interplay between superconductor and ferromagnets, but also potentially provide a building block for future research endeavors and applications in the realms of superconducting spintronic devices.

Tuning the crystallinity of titanium nitride on copper‐embedded carbon nanofiber interlayers for accelerated electrochemical kinetics in lithium–sulfur batteries

AbstractThe development of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries is hindered by the disadvantages of shuttling of polysulfides and the sluggish redox kinetics of the conversion of sulfur species during discharge and charge. Herein, the crystallinities of a titanium nitride (TiN) film on copper‐embedded carbon nanofibers (Cu‐CNFs) are regulated and the nanofibers are used as interlayers to resolve the aforementioned crucial issues. A low‐crystalline TiN‐coated Cu‐CNF (L‐TiN‐Cu‐CNF) interlayer is compared with its highly crystalline counterpart (H‐TiN‐Cu‐CNFs). It is demonstrated that the L‐TiN coating not only strengthens the chemical adsorption toward polysulfides but also greatly accelerates the electrochemical conversion of polysulfides. Due to robust carbon frameworks and enhanced kinetics, impressive high‐rate performance at 2 C (913 mAh g−1 based on sulfur) as well as remarkable cyclic stability up to 300 cycles (626 mAh g−1) with capacity retention of 46.5% is realized for L‐TiN‐Cu‐CNF interlayer‐configured Li–S batteries. Even under high loading (3.8 mg cm−2) of sulfur and relatively lean electrolyte (10 μL electrolyte per milligram sulfur) conditions, the Li–S battery equipped with L‐TiN‐Cu‐CNF interlayers delivers a high capacity of 1144 mAh g−1 with cathodic capacity of 4.25 mAh cm−2 at 0.1 C, providing a potential pathway toward the design of multifunctional interlayers for highly efficient Li–S batteries.

Machining characteristics in ultrasonic vibration-assisted powder-mixed electrical discharge machining of TiN ceramics

This study aims to investigate the application and machining characteristics of brittle conductive ceramics using ultrasonic vibration-assisted powder-mixed electrical discharge machining (UV-PMEDM) technology. Titanium nitride (TiN) ceramics are widely used in aerospace, biomedicine, and electronics due to their excellent properties. However, the conventional mechanical machining methods of these materials result in severe tool wear, high costs, and low efficiency. Although electrical discharge machining (EDM) can overcome some limitations, it typically exhibits a low material removal rate and poor surface quality. This study utilizes the UV-PMEDM technology to process TiN ceramics. Single-factor experiments are conducted to analyze the effects of processing parameters, including ultrasonic amplitude, powder concentration, pulse-on time, and pulse-off time, on the material removal rate, surface roughness, and relative electrode wear rate, which indicate the EDM processing performance. With the assistance of ultrasonic vibration and mixed powders, the material removal rate of TiN ceramics using UV-PMEDM reaches 0.50 mm3/min, while maintaining a relative electrode wear rate below 1 % and surface roughness lower than 4.2 μm. The synergistic combination of ultrasonic vibration and mixed powders significantly enhances the processing efficiency and reduces surface roughness of TiN ceramics. These findings contribute to a better understanding of machining strategies for brittle conductive ceramics.

Ultrabroadband absorptive refractory plasmonics for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions

As an environmentally friendly and renewable method for hydrogen production powered by solar energy, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs) using broadband absorbers have received much attention. Here, we report the fabrication and characterization of an ultrabroadband absorber for the photocatalytic HER. The absorber is composed of titanium nitride and titanium dioxide heterostructures deposited onto a porous anodized aluminum oxide template. The absorber shows ultrabroadband absorption in both the visible and near-infrared regions (400–2500 nm), with averages of 99.1% and 80.1%, respectively. Additionally, the presence of the TiO2 layer within the absorber extends the lifetime of the hot carriers by 2.7 times longer than that without the TiO2 layer, enhancing the transfer of hot electrons and improving the efficiency of hydrogen production by 1.9 times. This novel ultrabroadband absorber has potential use in advanced photocatalytic HER applications, providing a sustainable and cost-effective route for hydrogen generation from solar energy.

Utilizing Gate-Controlled Supercurrent for All-Metallic Tunable Superconducting Microwave Resonators.

Hybridizing a microwave mode with a quantum state requires precise frequency matching of a superconducting microwave resonator and the corresponding quantum object. However, fabrication always brings imperfections in geometry and material properties, causing deviations from the desired operating frequencies. An effective and universal strategy for their resonant coupling is to tune the frequency of a resonator, as quantum states like phonons are hardly tunable. Here, we demonstrate gate-tunable, titanium-nitride (TiN)-based superconducting resonators by implementing a nanowire inductor whose kinetic inductance is tuned via the gate-controlled supercurrent (GCS) effect. We investigate their responses for different gate biases and observe 4% (∼150 MHz) frequency tuning with decreasing internal quality factors. We also perform temperature-controlled experiments to support phonon-related mechanisms in the GCS effect and the resonance tuning. The GCS effect-based method proposed in this study provides an effective route for locally tunable resonators that can be employed in various hybrid quantum devices.

Effect of Micro-Dimple Texture on the Tribological Performance of Brass with Titanium Nitride (TiN) Coating under Oil-Lubricated Conditions

Surface texture and titanium nitride (TiN) coating have been established as effective methods for enhancing the tribological property of mechanical friction pairs. This study aims to investigate the tribological performance of dimple-textured surfaces with TiN coating under oil-lubricated conditions using a pin-on-disc wear experiment. Four types of pin samples with various end surfaces were designed, including bare rod samples, TiN-coated samples, textured samples, and TiN-coated/textured samples. The surface texture consists of a series of cylindrical micro-dimples with a diameter of 150 μm and a depth of 40 μm fabricated on the end surface of the pin. TiN coating treatment on the textured surface of the end face was performed by vacuum sputtering coating equipment. The study focuses on measuring and comparatively analyzing the friction coefficient, wear morphology, and binding force of the pin-disc friction pairs among the experiments. Compared with bare rod samples, TiN-coated/textured samples will reduce the friction coefficient (COF) of the pin-on-disc friction pair by at least 20% under oil-lubricated conditions in a 50 N normal contact load. The results indicate that the synergistic effect of dimple surface texture and TiN coating optimizes friction performance and reduces wear, highlighting the novelty of this study. Furthermore, the study identifies the hydrodynamic lubrication effect of the surface morphology formed by the dimple surface texture as a key factor in improving lubrication performance and reducing friction. Additionally, the dimple surface texture enables the mitigation of third body wear due to the wear debris storage function of the micro-dimples. This research provides valuable insights for the design and fabrication of mechanical friction pairs with high wear resistance under oil-lubricated conditions.

Influence of Interlayers on Adhesion Strength of TiN Film on Mg Alloy

The wide application of Mg alloys has been restricted because of their poor corrosion and wear resistance. Titanium nitride ceramic films prepared via magnetron sputtering can improve the corrosion and wear resistance of Mg alloys. However, residual stress produced at the interface between the film and the Mg alloy substrate causes the TiN film to spall off and reduces its service life. One potential approach to mitigating residual stress involves enhancing the adhesive strength between the film and the substrate, thereby potentially extending the service life of the film. To increase the adhesion strength between the TiN film and the Mg alloy substrate, a Ti or Al interlayer was deposited on the Mg alloy by magnetron sputtering. Subsequently, the adhesion strengths of TiN/Ti and TiN/Al were determined under a single high shear force by scratch tests and were determined under multiple low shear forces by friction and wear tests. The results of scratch tests show that TiN with the Ti interlayer on the Mg alloy substrate has superior adhesion strength under a single high shear force. And the results of friction and wear tests show that both the TiN/Al and TiN/Ti films provided protection to the Mg alloy substrate against friction and wear, and TiN with the Ti interlayer on the Mg alloy substrate has superior adhesion strength under multiple low shear forces. This work can provide guidance for the selection of interlayers between Mg alloy substrates and hard ceramic films.

Non-noble plasmonic TiN modified BiOBr for the piezo-photocatalytic removal of sulfisoxazole: Simultaneous improvement of photocatalytic and piezoelectric properties

Piezo-photocatalytic systems have the capacity to degrade environmental contaminants by exploiting mechanical and photonic energy. Herein, we report on a strategy for the modification of bismuth bromide oxide (BiOBr) with a non-noble metal plasma (titanium nitride (TiN)). The synthesized piezo-photocatalytic system demonstrated excellent performance for the degradation of sulfisoxazole (SIZ), where the 2-TiN/BiOBr samples exhibited a high degradation rate of 94.9 % in 70 min, with a rate constant that was 4.68 times higher than that of BiOBr. This improved catalytic performance was attributed to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect and high electronic conductivity of TiN, which improved the photocatalytic and piezoelectric properties of BiOBr. The hypothesis of an extended piezoelectric field was verified in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This work presents a new perspective for improved piezoelectric photocatalytic systems, which have great potential for utilizing solar and mechanical energy for environmental remediation.

The Performance of Different Etchants on the Carbides of Ni600 and Ni625

Nickel-based alloys that contain chromium are widely used in corrosion-resistant applications in industry, but they are sensitive to the environment when the passive chromium oxide layer is damaged. In Ni600 and Ni625 alloys, precipitates can deplete the surface layer of chromium oxide. To better characterize and analyze the nickel alloy surfaces and their chromium carbides, chemical etching with different etchants and electrolytic etching were applied to sample surfaces. This paper revealed their efficacy in etching various carbides within the nickel alloys, and orange phases ranging from 2 to 20 μm in optical micrographs were identified as titanium-containing compounds. Carbides located on the grain boundaries were determined to be Cr23C6 and were surrounded by chromium-depleted zones. The findings and figures in this paper provide a more intuitive reference for future analysis of carbides and titanium nitrides, enhancing the understanding of their impact on the corrosion resistance of these alloys, which will not only contribute to the material science field but also aid in developing the Ni-based alloys for industrial applications.

Clinical Evaluation of Maneuverability and Durability of Titanium Nitride-coated Preformed Crown on Primary Molar Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The management of multisurface carious primary molar is challenging. Currently, the ideal choice for the management of extensive multi-surface carious primary molar is the placement of a preformed stainlesssteel crown (SSC)/preformed zirconia crown. Unfortunately, conventional preformed SSCs are frequently refused by parents for esthetic reasons, while the preformed zirconia crown has its own disadvantages like high cost and excessive tooth preparation. To evaluate the maneuverability and durability of titanium nitride-coated crowns on primary molar teeth and to assess the child-parent satisfaction of titanium nitride-coated gold-colored preformed crowns over metal-colored preformed SSC on primary molar teeth. Randomized controlled trial conducted on children between the age-groups of 6- and 9-year-old children. Group I for titanium nitride-coated preformed crown and group II for preformed SSC (control group) were allotted with a simple random technique. The maneuverability of the titanium nitride-coated crowns was evaluated in comparison with preformed SSC in terms of the level of difficulty while trimming, contouring, crimping, and wearing out of titanium nitride coating while manipulating. Participants of group I were recalled for follow-up in the 1st, 6th, and 12th months to evaluate the durability of the titanium nitride coating on the preformed crowns. There were no failures at the 12-month follow-up in terms of the durability of the titanium nitride coating, and there was no significant difference seen in terms of the maneuverability of both crowns. Overall, child-parent satisfaction was good with gold-colored titanium nitride-coated crowns. The study concluded that titanium nitride-coated gold crowns could be a boon to pediatric dentistry and serve as an alternative to metal-colored SSCs. Vundela RR, Gupta N, Balamurugan S, et al. Clinical Evaluation of Maneuverability and Durability of Titanium Nitride-coated Preformed Crown on Primary Molar Teeth: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(S-3):S263-S267.