Diffractive-optics-based sensor as a tool for detection of biocompatibility of titanium and titanium-doped hydrocarbon samples.

Adsorption of the elongated human plasma fibrinogen (HPF) and globular human serum albumin molecules on a titanium-based surface is monitored by analyzing permittivity and optical roughness of protein-modified surfaces by using a diffractive optical element (DOE)-based sensor and variable angle spectro-ellipsometry (VASE). Both DOE and VASE confirmed that fibrinogen forms a thicker and more packed surface adlayer compared to a more porous and weakly adsorbed albumin adlayer. A linear relation of the permittivity (ε(')) and dielectric loss (ε('')) was found for some of the dry titanium-doped hydrocarbon (TDHC) surfaces with excellent HPF adsorption ability. We discuss some aspects of TDHC's aging and its possible effects on fibrinogen adsorption.

Preparation of highly wettable coatings on Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy for traumatological implants using micro-arc oxidation in an alkaline electrolyte.

Pulsed micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in a strongly alkaline electrolyte (pH > 13), consisting of Na2SiO3⋅9H2O and NaOH, was used to form a thin porous oxide coating consisting of two layers differing in chemical and phase composition. The unique procedure, combining MAO and removal of the outer layer by blasting, enables to prepare a coating suitable for application in temporary traumatological implants. A bilayer formed in an alkaline electrolyte environment during the application of MAO enables the formation of a wear-resistant layer with silicon incorporated in the oxide phase. Following the removal of the outer rutile-containing porous layer, the required coating properties for traumatological applications were determined. The prepared surfaces were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and contact angle measurements. Cytocompatibility was evaluated using human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells. The newly-developed surface modifications of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy performed satisfactorily in all cellular tests in comparison with MAO-untreated alloy and standard tissue culture plastic. High cell viability was supported, but the modifications allowed only relatively slow cell proliferation, and showed only moderate osseointegration potential without significant support for matrix mineralization. Materials with these properties are promising for utilization in temporary traumatological implants.

Sensing of human plasma fibrinogen on polished, chemically etched and carbon treated titanium surfaces by diffractive optical element based sensor.

Adsorption of human plasma fibrinogen (HPF) on 6 differently treated titanium samples (polished, polished and etched, and 4 titanium carbide coatings samples produced by using plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) method) is investigated by using diffractive optical element (DOE) sensor. Permittivity (susceptibility) change and fluctuation in optical roughness (R(opt)) of treated titanium surface in the presence of background electrolyte without and with HPF molecules are sensed by using DOE sensor and optical ellipsometry. Correlation between transmitted light and thickness of molecule layer was found. The findings allow to sense temporal organization and severity of adsorption of nano-scale HPF molecules on polished, on polished and etched, and on titanium carbide surface.

Growth of a TiNb adhesion interlayer for bioactive coatings.

Surface bioactivity has been under intensive study with reference to its use in medical implants. Our study is focused on coatings prepared from an electroactive material which can support bone cell adhesion. Until now, hydroxyapatite films have usually been utilized as a chemically-active surface agent. However, electrically-active films could set a new direction in hard tissue replacement. As a base for these films, it is necessary to prepare an intermediate film, which can serve as a suitable barrier against the possible diffusion of some allergens and toxic elements from the substrate. The intermediate film also improves the adaptation of the mechanical properties of the basic material to an electroactive film. The aim of our work was to select an implantable and biocompatible material for this intermediate film that is suitable for coating several widely-used materials, to check the possibility of preparing an electroactive film for use on a material of this type, and to characterize the structure and several mechanical properties of this intermediate film. TiNb was selected as the material for the intermediate film, because of its excellent chemical and mechanical properties. TiNb coatings were deposited by magnetron sputtering on various substrates, namely Ti, Ti6Al4V, stainless steel, and bulk TiNb (as standard), and important properties of the layers, e.g. surface morphology and surface roughness, crystalline structure, etc., were characterized by several methods (SEM, EBSD, X-ray diffraction, nanoindentation and roughness measurement). It was found that the structure and the mechanical properties of the TiNb layer depended significantly on the type of substrate. TiNb was then used as a substrate for depositing a ferroelectrically active material, e.g., BaTiO3, and the adhesion, viability and proliferation of human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells on this system were studied. We found that the electroactive BaTiO3 film was not only non-cytotoxic (i.e. it did not affect the cell viability). It also enhanced the growth of Saos-2 cells in comparison with pure TiNb and with standard tissue culture polystyrene wells, and also in comparison with BaTiO3 films deposited on Ti, i.e. a material clinically used for implantation into the bone.

Properties of titanium-alloyed DLC layers for medical applications.

DLC-type layers offer a good potential for application in medicine, due to their excellent tribological properties, chemical resistance, and bio-inert character. The presented study has verified the possibility of alloying DLC layers with titanium, with coatings containing three levels of titanium concentration prepared. Titanium was present on the surface mainly in the form of oxides. Its increasing concentration led to increased presence of titanium carbide as well. The behavior of the studied systems was stable during exposure in a physiological saline solution. Electrochemical impedance spectra practically did not change with time. Alloying, however, changed the electrochemical behavior of coated systems in a significant way: from inert surface mediating only exchange reactions of the environment in the case of unalloyed DLC layers to a response corresponding rather to a passive surface in the case of alloyed specimens. The effect of DLC layers alloying with titanium was tested by the interaction with a simulated body fluid, during which precipitation of a compound containing calcium and phosphorus--basic components of the bone apatite--occurred on all doped specimens, in contrast to pure DLC. The results of the specimens' surface colonization with cells test proved the positive effect of titanium in the case of specimens with a medium and highest content of this element.

Corrosion behaviour of TiN and ZrN in the environment containing fluoride ions.

Nowadays, a wide range of materials for human implants is used. To reach the required properties of implants, coatings are applied in some cases. This contribution is focused on the corrosion properties of TiN and ZrN layers on cp-titanium (commercially pure titanium) under environment modelling conditions in an oral cavity. Measurements were done in artificial saliva and a physiological solution unbuffered and buffered to a pH value of 4.2 with the addition of fluoride ions up to 4000 ppm. Standard corrosion electrochemical techniques were applied. Both types of layers were stable in both model saliva and physiological solution with non-adjusted pH. The decrease in pH to 4.2 resulted in a minor decrease of corrosion resistance in all cases, but polarization resistance was still in the order of 10(5) Ω cm². An important change in a specimens' behaviour was noticed in the presence of fluoride ions. TiN was stable in the highest concentration of fluorides used. The ZrN layers were destabilized in an environment containing a few hundred ppm of fluoride ions. As for TiN, the decisive factor is the influence of porosity; the corrosion resistance of ZrN is limited. From the corrosion point of view, the application of the TiN-based barrier layers in dental implantology is more advisable than the use of ZrN, provided that the application of a barrier is inevitable.