Yinsheng Dong

Microstructure, nickel suppression and mechanical characteristics of electropolished and photoelectrocatalytically oxidized biomedical nickel titanium shape memory alloy

A new surface modification protocol encompassing an electropolishing pretreatment (EP) and subsequent photoelectrocatalytic oxidation (PEO) has been developed to improve the surface properties of biomedical nickel titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloy (SMA). Electropolishing is a good way to improve the resistance to localized breakdown of NiTi SMA whereas PEO offers the synergistic effects of advanced oxidation and electrochemical oxidation. Our results indicate that PEO leads to the formation of a sturdy titania film on the EP NiTi substrate. There is an Ni-free zone near the top surface and a graded interface between the titania layer and NiTi substrate, which bodes well for both biocompatibility and mechanical stability. In addition, Ni ion release from the NiTi substrate is suppressed, as confirmed by the 10-week immersion test. The modulus and hardness of the modified NiTi surface increase with larger indentation depths, finally reaching plateau values of about 69 and 3.1GPa, respectively, which are slightly higher than those of the NiTi substrate but much lower than those of a dense amorphous titania film. In comparison, after undergoing only EP, the mechanical properties of NiTi exhibit an inverse change with depth. The deformation mechanism is proposed and discussed. Our results indicate that surface modification by dual EP and PEO can notably suppress Ni ion release and improve the biocompatibility of NiTi SMA while the surface mechanical properties are not compromised, making the treated materials suitable for hard tissue replacements.

In situ synthesis of nanostructured titania film on NiTi shape memory alloy by Fenton’s oxidation method

Fentons oxidation method was successfully used to synthesize an ideal titania film in situ on NiTi shape memory alloy(SMA) for medical applications. Characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and electrochemical tests, it is found that the titania film produced by Fentons oxidation method on NiTi SMA is nanostructured and has a Ni-free zone near its top surface, which results in a notable improvement in corrosion resistance and a remarkable decrease in leaching of harmful Ni ions from NiTi SMA in simulated body fluids. The improvement of effectiveness to corrosion resistance and the reduction in Ni release of NiTi SMA by Fentons oxidation method are comparable to those by oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation reported earlier.

In vitro biocompatibility of titanium-nickel alloy with titanium oxide film by H2O2 oxidation

Titanium oxide film with a graded interface to NiTi matrix was synthesized in situ on NiTi shape memory alloy(SMA) by oxidation in H2O2 solution. In vitro studies including contact angle measurement, hemolysis, MTT cytotoxicity and cell morphology tests were employed to investigate the biocompatibility of the H2O2-oxidized NiTi SMAs with this titanium oxide film. The results reveal that wettability, blood compatibility and fibroblasts compatibility of NiTi SMA are improved by the coating of titanium oxide film through H2O2 oxidation treatment.

Surface treatment of NiTi shape memory alloy by modified advanced oxidation process

A modified advanced oxidation process(AOP) utilizing a UV/electrochemically-generated peroxide system was used to fabricate titania films on chemically polished NiTi shape memory alloy(SMA). The microstructure and biomedical properties of the film were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICPMS), hemolysis analysis, and blood platelet adhesion test. It is found that the modified AOP has a high processing effectiveness and can result in the formation of a dense titania film with a Ni-free zone near its top surface. In comparison, Ni can still be detected on the outer NiTi surface by the conventional AOP using the UV/H2O2 system. The depth profiles of O, Ni, Ti show that the film possesses a smooth graded interface structure next to the NiTi substrate and this structure enhances the mechanical stability of titania film. The titania film can dramatically reduce toxic Ni ion release and also improve the

Effects of H2O2 pretreatment on surface characteristics and bioactivity of NaOH-treated NiTi shape memory alloy

Abstract The effects of H2O2 pretreatment on the surface characteristics and bioactivity of NaOH-treated NiTi shape memory alloy(SMA) were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectra, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as a simulated body fluid(SBF) soaking test. It is found that the H2O2 pretreatment can lead to the direct creation of more Ti—OH groups and the decrease in the amount of Ni2O3, Na2TiO3 and remnant NiTi phases on the surfaces of bioactive NiTi SMA prepared by NaOH treatment. As a result, the induction period of apatite formation is shortened by dispensing with the slow kinetic formation process of Ti—OH groups via an exchange of Na+ ions from Na2TiO3 phase with H3O+ ions in SBF, which indicates that the bioactivity of NaOH-treated NiTi SMA can be further improved by the H2O2 pretreatment.

EFFECT OF AL CONTENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF AN INTERMETALLIC Ni-Ti (Al) COMPOUND/Ni GRADED COATING DEPOSITED ON COPPER SUBSTRATE

Copper and its alloys with high electrical and thermal conductivity are a group of widely used engineering materials in numerous applications. In order to improve the tribological properties of copper substrate, an electroplating nickel layer was firstly deposited on copper substrate, subsequently these electroplated specimens were treated by slurry pack cementation process at 900°C for 12 h using a slurry mixture composed of TiO2 as titanizing source, pure Al powder as aluminzing source and also a reducer for titanizing, an activator of NH4Cl and albumen (egg white) as cohesive agent. The effect of Al content on the microstructure and the properties of the coating has been studied. The results showed that an intermetallic Ni-Ti (Al) compound/Ni graded layer was formed on copper substrate after slurry pack cementation process. With the rise of Al content in slurry mixture, the microhardness of the graded coating increased and the friction coefficient decreased from 0.35 to 0.18, at the same time, the slurry pack process gradually transited from the titanizing process to an aluminizing one. Correspondingly the main phases of the coating were changed from Ni-Ti intermetallic compounds into Ni-Al ones.

Hydroxyapatite–silver nanobiomaterial

Abstract Because of the similar chemical compositions and properties to the natural bone mineral, hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely used as a common biomaterial for bone substitute, implant coating, dental material, composite component and other applications. However, the bacteria can be adsorbed and replicated on the HA surface, inducing serious implant-related infection. To overcome the infection problem, many materials such as silver, zinc and copper have been added into HA to improve its antibacterial activity. In the present chapter, we focus on hydroxyapatite-silver (HA–silver) nano biomaterial and divide them into three categories: silver-substituted HA nanoparticle, HA–silver nanocomposite and HA–silver coating. We will summarize the fabrication method, phase composition and corresponding properties of these biomaterials and hope this review can bring the researchers a more systematic understanding of HA–silver nano biomaterial.