Self-organized TiO2 nanotube layer on Ti–Nb–Zr alloys: growth, characterization, and effect on corrosion behavior

Abstract

Ti alloys are widely applied in implanted biomedical devices due to their unique mechanical and biological performances. A strategy employed to improve bone integration on orthopedic and dental implants is to grow a self-organized TiO2 nanotube layer on the surface of titanium alloy implants. This paper describes the formation of self-organized TiO2 nanotubes on Ti–35Nb–2Zr and Ti–35Nb–4Zr alloys by the anodization process, as well as the effects of Zr content on TiO2 phase stability. The morphological and chemical characteristics of the nanotubes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron microscopy. In addition, a comparison was made of the electrochemical stabilities of TiO2 nanotube-coated surfaces and surfaces without nanotubes, which revealed higher corrosion resistance for the nanotube-modified surface. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results were fitted with two-time constant equivalent circuit representing the barrier layer (nanotube bottom) and the porous layer (nanotube wall). The addition of Zr suppressed ω-phase formation, preserving the alloy’s low elastic modulus (64 GPa). This Zr addition also delayed the anatase-to-rutile transformation and slightly increased the nanotubes’ length to 1.14 µm. These features make the Ti–35Nb–4Zr alloy a very good candidate for use in the biomedical field, especially for applications that require low elastic modulus with enhanced corrosion resistance.