Investigation of Bio-Functional Properties of Titanium Substrates After Hybrid Oxidation

In order to enhance bioactive properties of titanium 99.2 used in implantology and various biomedical applications, numerous methods to form tight oxide coatings are being investigated. Some of these interesting techniques for generating TiO₂ coatings include: electrochemical methods with anodizing, electric discharge treatment, plasma methods (PVD) and diffusive methods (i.e. oxidation in a fluidized bed). Each method aims to create a thin homogenous oxide coating characterized with thermal stability and repassivation ability in the presence of body fluid environment. However, new methods are still sought for increasing the biocompatibility of the substrate following a change in the intensity of depositing on the oxide coating compounds with high biocompatibility with body tissues, including hydroxyapatite, which constitutes the basis for subsequent osseointegration processes. The article presents investigation of HAp formation on titanium substrate surface after hybrid oxidation process. Hybrid surface treatments combine methods of fluidized bed atmospheric diffusive treatment FADT with the PVD surface treatment realized with different parameters (FADT - 640°C / 8h and PVD - magnetron sputtering with TiO₂ target). In order to investigate the effects of hybrid oxidation and the formation of HAp molecules, SEM-EDS, SEM-EBSD, STEM-EDS, RS, nanoindentation and Kokubo bioactivity tests (c-SBF2) were carried out. The hybrid method of titanium oxidation, proposed by the Author, presents a new outlook on themodification and development of the properties of oxide coatings in the area of biomedical applications. Combining the ways of Ti Grade 2 oxidation in the hybrid method highly improves the formation of hydroxyapatite compounds and shows the potential of applying such a technique in implantology, where the intensive growth of bone tissues is crucial.