Pulsed laser-deposited hopeite coatings on titanium alloy for orthopaedic implant applications: surface characterization, antibacterial and bioactivity studies

Abstract

AbstractAlthough titanium and its alloys hold a significant position as an implant material for orthopedic and dental applications, they exhibit limited osteogenic and protective performance. The present research aims to develop an alternate process route for deposition of hopeite coatings on Titanium Grade 5 alloy (Ti–6Al–4V), using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. SEM, AFM and XRD were used to characterize and ellipsometer and tensometer were used to test the thickness and adhesive strength of the deposited hopeite coatings. While the FACS technique was used to assess their antibacterial activity, the simulated body fluid immersion test was utilized to ascertain their bioactivity. Lastly surface wettability and corrosion resistance of the hopeite coatings were evaluated using contact angle goniometer and potentiostat/galvanostat potentiodynamic (model PARSTAT 2263, Princeton Applied Research, USA), respectively. The PLD technique resulted in the deposition of hopeite coatings with desired crystallinity, adhesive strength of (16.52\u2009±\u20091.8\xa0MPa), bioactivity, hydrophobic surface (water contact angle\u2009=\u2009135°), superior corrosion resistance (Rp\u2009=\u200934,138.68\xa0Ω\xa0cm2) and average surface roughness of (7.43\xa0nm), which is likely to promote better osseointegration. The promising biological characteristics obtained in this research confirmed that the PLD hopeite coatings could be potentially used in orthopaedic implant applications.\n