M. Pérez-Amor

Hydroxyapatite coatings: a comparative study between plasma-spray and pulsed laser deposition techniques

A comparative study between hydroxyapatite coatings produced by two different techniques, plasma spray (PS) and pulsed-laser deposition (PLD) was carried out. Plasma spray is currently commercially used for coating dental and orthopaedical implant devices, and pulsed-laser deposition (or laser-ablation deposition) gave good results in the field of high critical temperature superconductive thin films, and is being applied to produce calcium phosphate coatings for biomedical purposes. X-ray diffraction was used to control the crystallinity of the coatings, scanning electron microscopy for the surface and cross-sectional morphology, and the pull test to determine the tensile strength of the coatings. This study reveals that the pulsed-laser deposition technique appears to be a very good candidate to replace the plasma spray in many biomedical applications, because it overcomes most of the drawbacks of the plasma spray.

Influence of the non-bridging oxygen groups on the bioactivity of silicate glasses

The effect of the composition and bonding configuration of the bioactive silica-based glasses on the initial stage in vitro bioactivity is presented. Information of the IR active Si–O groups of glass in the system SiO2–P2O5–CaO–Na2O–K2O–MgO–B2O3 was obtained by fourier transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Two different bands associated to non-bridging oxygen stretching vibrations (Si–O–1NBO and Si–O–2NBO) and a gradual shifting of the bridging oxygen stretching vibration (Si–O) have been observed and evaluated. Both effects are attributed to a decrease of the local symmetry originating from the incorporation of alkali ions into the vitreous silica network. The Si–O–NBO(s)/Si–O(s) absorbance intensity ratio increases with a gradual incorporation of the alkali ions (diminution of SiO2 content) following a linear dependence up to values close to 50 wt % of SiO2. In vitro test analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA) showed a correlation between the amount and type of the non-bridging oxygen functional groups and the growth of the silica-rich and CaP layers. It was found that a minimum concentration of Si–O–NBO bonds in the glass network is required in order to have an efficient ion exchange and dissolution of the silica network. Finally, the bioactivity of the glass is favored by the presence of the Si–O–2NBO groups in the glassy network. The role of these functional groups in the dissolution of the silica network through the formation of silanol groups and the adsorption of water is discussed.

Micro- and nano-testing of calcium phosphate coatings produced by pulsed laser deposition

Micro- and nano-testing methods have been explored to study the thin calcium phosphate coatings with high adhesive strength. The pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique was utilised to produce calcium phosphate coatings on metal substrates, because this type of coatings exhibit much higher adhesive strength with substrates than conventional plasma-sprayed coatings. Due to the limitations of the conventional techniques to evaluate the mechanical properties of these thin coatings (1 microm thick), micro-scratch testing has been applied to evaluate the coating-to-substrate adhesion, and nano-indentation to determine the coating hardness and elastic modulus. The test results showed that the PLD produced amorphous and crystalline HA coatings are more ductile than titanium substrates, and the PLD coatings are not delaminated from the substrates by scratch. Also, the results showed that the crystalline HA coating is superior in internal cohesion to the amorphous one, even though the lower elastic modulus of amorphous coating could be more mechanically compatible with natural bone.

Raman spectroscopic study of bioactive silica based glasses

Abstract A study of the structure and bonding configuration of the bioactive glasses in the system Na2O–CaO–P2O5–SiO2 by Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy is presented. The assignment of the Raman lines, the changes in the Si–O–Si bond environment and the identification of the non-bridging silicon–oxygen groups (Si–O–NBO) for a wide range of silicate glasses are discussed. The frequency shifting and intensity variations of the Raman lines as a function of the bioactive glass composition are attributed to a decrease of the local symmetry originated by the addition of alkali and alkali earth oxides to the vitreous silica network. Correlation plots for the quantification of the Si–O–NBO groups as a function of the glass composition are also presented. These Raman analyses contribute to a better knowledge of the structural role of the network modifiers in the bioactive glasses and, as a consequence, improve the understanding of the bioactive process and the chemical routes of the CaP layer formation when exposed body fluids.

Physicochemical properties of calcium phosphate coatings produced by pulsed laser deposition at different water vapour pressures.

Calcium phosphate coatings were produced by pulsed laser deposition from targets of non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite (Ca/P = 1.70) at a substrate temperature of 485 degrees C and different processing pressures of water vapour: 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.60 and 0.80 mbar. The physicochemical properties of these coatings were studied using Fourier-transform IR spectroscopy (FT-IR) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). A minimum pressure of water vapour was necessary in order to obtain a crystalline coating, as deduced from the FT-IR spectroscopy of these coatings. This analysis also revealed that when the deposition pressure of water vapour was further increased, the coatings were less crystalline and the content of hydroxyl groups, the carbonate substitution for phosphate, and the Ca/P ratio, as measured by EDX, were lower. These effects can be explained by a combined substitution of carbonate and HPO4(2-) for phosphate, being predominant the carbonate substitution at low pressures and the HPO4(2-) substitution at high pressures.

Calcium phosphate coatings grown at different substrate temperatures by pulsed ArF-laser deposition

Due to their similarity with the mineral part of bone, calcium phosphate coatings, specially hydroxylapatite, are commonly used to enhance the osteointegration of orthopaedical and dental titanium implants. To obtain more homogeneous and adherent coatings than the commercial ones produced by plasma spraying, pulsed ArF-laser deposition has been investigated. With this technique, hydroxylapatite sintered pellets have been ablated in water atmosphere at different substrate temperatures to produce calcium phosphate coatings. The characterization of the obtained films by profilometry, ellipsometry, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, XRD and SEM with EDX shows a strong dependence in the amount of apatite structure on the substrate temperature used during the deposition process.

Production of calcium phosphate coatings on Ti6Al4V obtained by Nd:yttrium–aluminum–garnet laser cladding

Among the various techniques that have been investigated to produce Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings in order to promote fixation and osteointegration of cementless prosthesis, the plasma spray (PS) technique is the most popular method commercially in use. PS presents some disadvantages such as the poor coating-to-substrate adhesion, low mechanical strength, and brittleness of the coating. In order to overcome the drawbacks of plasma spraying, an approach on how to bind HA to the Ti alloy will be introduced in this work, using a well-known technique in the metallurgical field: laser surface cladding. Different techniques were applied to characterize the coated samples, including x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive x-ray analysis.

CO2 laser cutting of slate

Slate is a natural stone which has the characteristic that shows a well-developed defoliation plane, allowing to easily split it in plates parallel to that plane which are particularly used as tiles for roof building. At present, the manufacturing of slate is mostly manual, being noisy, powdery and unsafe for the worker. Thus, there is a need to introduce new processing methods in order to improve both the working conditions and the quality of the products made of slate. Following the previous work focused on the drilling and cutting of slate tiles using a Nd : YAG laser, we present in this paper the results of the work carried out to explore the possibilities to cut slate plates by using a CO2 laser. A 1.5 kW CO2 laser was used to perform different experiments in which, the influence of some processing parameters (average power, assist gas pressure) on the geometry and quality of the cut was studied. The results obtained show that the CO2 laser is a feasible tool for a successful cutting of slate. r 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Carbon nitride films prepared by excimer laser ablation

The preparation of carbon nitride films by laser ablation of graphite in ammonia atmosphere is reported. Experiments were performed at room temperature under different NH3 total pressures using an ArF excimer laser (193 nm). The films were deposited on silicon and metal substrates from the ablated carbon radicals and the species generated by the ammonia photodissociation under the laser VUV photons. Profilometry and ellipsometry show an evolution of the growth rate and refractive index. Energy dispersive X-ray and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies reveal a gradual incorporation of nitrogen in the films for increasing ammonia concentration. Furthermore, infrared spectra show the presence of CN and C–N groups and the incorporation of hydrogen bonded to carbon and nitrogen. These observations were corroborated by Raman spectroscopy and hydrogen effusion.

Photo-induced chemical vapour deposition of silicon oxide thin films

A review of the photo-induced chemical vapour deposition (photo-CVD) processes yielding silicon oxide thin films that have emerged in the last decade is presented. Both lasers and UV lamps as photon sources are included. The basic principles, processing conditions, precursors, geometries, advantages and limitations of the various types of photo-CVD processes are described and compared. Their technological applicability and potential for industrial large-scale installation are discussed.