In vitro corrosion behaviour of Ti-Nb-Sn shape memory alloys in Ringer's physiological solution

Conferring NiTi alloy with controllable antibacterial activity and enhanced corrosion resistance by exploiting Ag@PDA films as a platform through a one-pot construction route

The lack of antibacterial activity and the leaching of Ni ions seriously limit the potential applications of the near equiatomic nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy in the biomedical field. In this study, a silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) wrapped in a polydopamine (Ag@PDA) film modified NiTi alloy with controllable antibacterial activity and enhanced corrosion resistance was achieved using a one-pot approach in a mixed solution of AgNO3 and dopamine. The controllable antibacterial activity could be achieved by adjusting the initial concentration of dopamine (Cdop), which obtained Ag@PDA films with varying thickness of polydopamine layers coated on Ag NPs, thereby conferring different levels of antibacterial activity to the modified NiTi alloy. In vitro antibacterial ratios (24 h) of Ag@PDA film-modified NiTi alloy against E.coli and S.aureus ranged from 46 % to 100 % and from 42 % to 100 %, respectively. The release curves of Ag ions indicated the persistent antibacterial effect of Ag@PDA film-modified NiTi alloy for at least 21 days. Moreover, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo implantation tests demonstrated the satisfactory biosafety of the Ag@PDA film-modified NiTi alloy when used as bioimplants. This research offers valuable insight into meeting various antibacterial demands for NiTi alloy implantations and highlights the potential of Ag-containing film-modified biomaterials in addressing different types of infections induced by implantations.

Low Young's Modulus TiNbSn Alloy Locking Plates Accelerate Osteosynthesis in Rabbit Tibiae

A new beta TiNbSn alloy with a low Young's modulus of approximately 40 GPa has been developed to resolve the stress shielding by Young's modulus divergence. In this study, the efficacy of TiNbSn alloy locking plates on bone repair is compared to that of commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti). The TiNbSn alloy and CP-Ti, which have Young's moduli of 49.1 GPa and 107 GPa, respectively, were compared. Male Japanese white rabbits were anesthetized, and osteotomy and osteosynthesis with locking plates were performed on the right tibia. The bone repair was assessed using micro-computed tomography (CT), histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and mechanical testing. Micro-CT, histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and mechanical testing were performed four weeks after osteotomy. Six weeks after surgery, micro-CT and mechanical testing were performed. Micro-CT analysis at four weeks after surgery showed that the intramedullary fracture callus in the TiNbSn alloy group had more bone volume and numerous bridging structures compared to the CP-Ti group (CP-Ti vs. TiNbSn alloy, 34.3 ± 13.1 mm3 vs. 61.3 ± 19.6 mm3, p = 0.02; mean ± standard deviation). At four weeks post-osteotomy, the healed tibia showed significantly higher strength in the TiNbSn alloy group compared with CP-Ti (CP-Ti vs. TiNbSn alloy, 81.3 ± 31.2 N vs. 133.7 ± 46.6 N, p = 0.04). TiNbSn alloy locking plates had a more positive impact on bone formation and bone strength restoration than the CP-Ti locking plates during the early phase of bone healing.

The effect of annealing temperature and immersion time on the active-passive dissolution of biomedical Ti70Zr20Nb7.5Ta2.5 alloy in Ringer’s solution.. [DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2403846/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

Because of their superior biocompatibility, chemical stability, and mechanical strength, Ti and Ti - based alloys are commonly utilized in orthopaedic dentistry. In Ringer’s solution (RS), the corrosion behavior of the Ti70Zr20Nb7.5Ta2.5 (T70Z20N7.5T2.5) alloy was examined as an alternative potential material for Ti and Ti6Al4V (T6A4V) in medical applications. The corrosion resistance was evaluated utilizing potentiodynamic polarization curves (PPCs), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and open circuit potential techniques (OCP), supplemented by XRD and SEM surface analysis. The T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy has the highest resistance to corrosion since it has the most stable passive state in addition to the lowest corrosion current (Icorr) and the highest corrosion potential (Ecorr) in comparison with that of T6A4V and Ti. Furthermore, it was also looked at how different annealing temperatures (600, 800, and 1000 ºC) and immersion times (one, two, and three weeks) affected the corrosion behaviour of T70Z20N7.5T2.5. In comparison to the other samples, the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy annealed at 800 ºC demonstrated superior resistance to corrosion (the lowest Icorr and Ipass). While that annealed at 1000 ºC has the lowest resistance to corrosion (highest Icorr and Ipass) as a result of the passive layer dissolution. The same results are confirmed using the OCP measurements. The passive film is composed of an inner and outer oxide layer, according to the EIS measurements. Meanwhile, the PPCs data demonstrates that the resistance to corrosion of the alloy is higher without immersion than it is with immersion and for a shorter immersion time. These results entirely agree with those of the EIS and OCP measurements of the alloy at the same immersion times. It was found that the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 system consisted of α and β phases. An X-ray structural study indicated a mixture of body centred –cubic β-Ti and hexagonal close-packed α-Ti (main phase, with a grain size of about 5.35 nm). Therefore, among all the materials evaluated in this work, the T70Z20N7.5T2.5 alloy can be considered a promising material suitable for use as a biomaterial.

Corrosion behavior and degradation mechanism of micro-extruded 3D printed ordered pore topological Fe scaffolds

The fabrication of ordered pore topological structures (OPTS) with an improved biodegradation profile offers unique attributes required for bone reconstruction. These attributes consisted of fully interconnected porous structure, bone-mimicking mechanical properties, and the possibility of fully regenerating bony defects. Most of the biomaterials based on magnesium were associated with the problem of too fast degradation rate. Here, the present aim was based on the fabrication of ordered pore topological Fe structures (OPTFS) using micro-extrusion-based 3D printing followed by pressureless microwave sintering. Two different kinds of pore features namely randomly distributed interconnected micropores and designed interconnected macropores were investigated. Static in vitro degradation results inferred that the H-2 mm pore size of hexagonal based ordered pore topological Fe structures (H-OPTFS) exhibited the highest degradation rate of 6.45 mg cm^-2  day^-1 on the 28th day. Electrochemical results revealed that the corrosion current density of the T-1 Fe sample with 44% porosity increased nearly by a multiple of three times as compared to dense Fe (from 16.79 to 44.63  μA cm - 2 ) _. Similarly, these results showed more significance in H-2 mm pores size (with highest 66% porosity) of H-OPTFS as compared to H-1.75 mm and H-1.5 mm pore size of H-OPTFS (≈2 times higher degradation rate than H-1.5 mm pore size). Moreover, the MG63 osteoblast cell line was adhered to and proliferated significantly throughout the surface and illustrated more than 80% cell viability of the prepared porous Fe scaffold. The analyzed results have shown the potential of fabricated OPTFS could be considered for biomedical applications.

Influence of Molybdenum on the Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Corrosion Resistance of Ti20Ta20Nb20(ZrHf)20-xMox (Where: x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) High Entropy Alloys

The presented work was focused on investigating the influence of the (hafnium and zirconium)/molybdenum ratio on the microstructure and properties of Ti20Ta20Nb20(ZrHf)20-xMox (where: x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 at.%) high entropy alloys in an as-cast state. The designed chemical composition was chosen due to possible future biomedical applications. Materials were obtained from elemental powders by vacuum arc melting technique. Phase analysis revealed the presence of dual body-centered cubic phases. X-ray diffraction showed the decrease of lattice parameters of both phases with increasing molybdenum concentration up to 10% of molybdenum and further increase of lattice parameters. The presence of two-phase matrix microstructure and hafnium and zirconium precipitates was proved by scanning and transmission electron microscopy observation. Mechanical property measurements revealed decreased micro- and nanohardness and reduced Young's modulus up to 10% of Mo content, and further increased up to 20% of molybdenum addition. Additionally, corrosion resistance measurements in Ringers' solution confirmed the high biomedical ability of studied alloys due to the presence of stable oxide layers.

Studying the Insulating Properties of Oxide Films Obtained on the Ti6A14V Alloy in Tartaric Acid Solutions Using the Method of Electrochemical Decoration by Copper

The investigation data of the formation peculiarities of oxide films on the Ti6A14V alloy in tartaric acid solutions have been given. It is shown that the behavior of alloy forming dependences is conditioned by the anode current density. At ja < 0.5 A∙dm-2 the continuous oxide film is not formed on the alloy surface and the preset value of the final voltage on the cell is not reached. With an increase in ja > 0.5 A∙dm-2, alloy forming dependences show a linear behavior that is indicative of the formation of low porous films. In these conditions, the oxide film formation rate is in direct proportion to the value of ja. The electrochemical oxidation of Ti6A14V alloy in tartaric acid solutions results in the formation of interference-colored oxide films. The oxide film ultimate thickness and color are defined by the preset voltage and are independent of the current density and electrolyte concentration. The isolating properties of obtained films were studied by the way of the cathode polarization of oxidized specimens in the sulfate copper-plating electrolyte. The research done allows us to make a conclusion that electrochemical copper deposition is a convenient tool for the detection of defective spots in oxide films. It is shown that due to the specific features of the reduction kinetics of Cu2+ ions on the oxidized titanium it is reasonable to use for the studies the initial sections of polarization dependences that correspond to ΔE = 0.2–0.25 V. The alloy polarization dependences allow us to establish unavailability of apparent dependences between the oxidation current density, the electrolyte concentration, the cell final voltage value and the polarization that occurs during the Cu2+ ion reduction. The anodic connection of copper-coated specimens conditions the reversible dissolution of a greater portion of the specks of copper deposits. It is indicative of the electron conduction of film defects. The obtained data allow us to vary the electrolysis parameters in a wide range with no significant influence of the treatment mode of Ti6A14V alloy on the quality of oxide coatings.

Histomorphometric assessments of peri-implant bone around Ti-Nb-Sn alloy implants with low Young's modulus

Many β-Ti alloys have been developed for, and used in, medical devices because of the corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and exceptionally low Young's modulus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the histomorphometric aspects of peri-implant bone around Ti-Nb-Sn alloy implants and compare them with those in the case of commercially pure Ti (Ti). Fluorescent morphological observations of ST-2 cells on the substrate were performed and bone morphogenesis around implants in rat femur was evaluated. There was no difference between the cell morphology on Ti and those on the Ti-Nb-Sn alloy during observation for 24 h. A comparison of the Ti-Nb-Sn alloy implant and the Ti implant showed no significant differences between the bone-to-implant contact ratios or the bone fractions. These results suggest that the biological adaptations with Ti-Nb-Sn implants during a healing period are similar to those with Ti. Ti-Nb-Sn is therefore suitable for use in dental implants.

Corrosion behavior, in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility of a newly developed Ti-16Nb-3Mo-1Sn superelastic alloy

The biocompatibility of a recently developed Ni-free Ti-16Nb-3Mo-1Sn (at.%) superelastic alloy was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. In addition, static water contact angle (WCA) and electrochemical tests were carried out. Commercial purity Ti (cp-Ti), which is already being used as a clinical material, was used as the control material. The alloy showed a stable corrosion behavior similar to that of the cp-Ti. The WCA measurements showed that the alloy exhibited hydrophilic properties that contributed to cell attachment to implants, as evident by the cytocompatibility tests. According to the in vivo implantation tests conducted on 30 adult BALB/c rats for periods up to 12 weeks, the tissue reaction around the implants was similar for both the cp-Ti and the alloy, and no significant difference was found in almost all parameters analyzed. Due to its stable superelastic properties accompanied with excellent biocompatibility and high corrosion resistance, we believe that this alloy is considered as a promising substitute for the biomedical materials containing Ni or other toxic elements.

Electrochemical Properties of Niobium Coating for Biomedical Application

The preparation of the Nb coating was performed on the bare Ti–6Al–4V alloy using the double glow discharge plasma technique. It was characterized that the Nb coating exhibited a face centered cubic (fcc) crystal structure and a pronounced (200) preferred orientation. The SEM micrograph of the cross section for the coating displayed dense microstructure with a thickness of approximately 18 µm. The critical load (Lc) of the coating was determined to be about 83.5 N by the scratch tests. The electrochemical corrosion resistance of the coating was examined in Ringer’s solution at 37 °C by a series of electrochemical techniques, including open-circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and a Mott–Schottky analysis. As the result of the potentiodynamic polarization, the Nb coating possessed a more positive corrosion potential and lower corrosion current density than the Ti–6Al–4V substrate. EIS fitting date showed that the Nb coating always possessed a higher value of impedance and lower effective capacitance than those of the substrate during the five days of immersion testing. The main component of the passive film developed on the Nb coating was Nb2O5, confirmed by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. A Mott–Schottky analysis demonstrated typical n-type semiconductor characteristics of the Nb coating, and both the donor density and flat band potential of the coating were lower than those of the substrate at all the given formation potential. These investigations demonstrate that the Nb coating can significantly improve the corrosion protection of uncoated Ti–6Al–4V and is thus a promising coating for the surface protection of bioimplants.

Radiopacity and cytotoxicity of Portland cement associated with niobium oxide micro and nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) is composed of Portland Cement (PC) and bismuth oxide (BO). Replacing BO for niobium oxide (NbO) microparticles (Nbµ) or nanoparticles (Nbη) may improve radiopacity and bioactivity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity and cytotoxicity of the materials: (1) PC; (2) White MTA; (3) PC+30% Nbµ; (4) PC+30% Nbη.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

For the radiopacity test, specimens of the different materials were radiographed along an aluminum step-wedge. For cell culture assays, Saos-2 osteoblastic-cells (ATCC HTB-85) were used. Cell viability was evaluated through MTT assay, and bioactivity was assessed by alkaline phosphatase activity assay.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated higher radiopacity for MTA, followed by Nbµ and Nbη, which had similar values. Cell culture analysis showed that PC and PC+NbO associations promoted greater cell viability than MTA.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that the combination of PC+NbO is a potential alternative for composition of MTA.

Influence of thermomechanical processing on biomechanical compatibility and electrochemical behavior of new near beta alloy, Ti-20.6Nb-13.6Zr-0.5V

This paper presents the results for the effect of different methods of thermomechanical processing on the mechanical properties and electrochemical behavior of metastable β alloy Ti-20.6Nb-13.6Zr-0.5V (TNZV). The thermomechanical processing included hot working, solution heat treatments at different temperatures, and cooling rates in addition to aging. The thermomechanical processing conditions used in the study resulted in attainment of a wide range of microstructures with varying spatial distributions and morphologies of elongated/equiaxed α, β phases, or martensite, as a result of which several tensile properties were achieved. Aging treatment led to an increase in hardness, elastic modulus, and tensile strength and a decrease in ductility (elongation). Electrochemical tests indicated that the TNZV alloy undergoes spontaneous passivation due to spontaneous formation of an oxide film in the environment of the human body. Because the air-cooled samples possessed high hardness and also a fine grain size, they showed a lower corrosion rate than the samples treated under other conditions.

Theory-Guided Materials Design of Multi-Phase Ti-Nb Alloys with Bone-Matching Elastic Properties

We present a scale-bridging approach for modeling the integral elastic response of polycrystalline composite that is based on a multi-disciplinary combination of (i) parameter-free first-principles calculations of thermodynamic phase stability and single-crystal elastic stiffness; and (ii) homogenization schemes developed for polycrystalline aggregates and composites. The modeling is used as a theory-guided bottom-up materials design strategy and applied to Ti-Nb alloys as promising candidates for biomedical implant applications. The theoretical results (i) show an excellent agreement with experimental data and (ii) reveal a decisive influence of the multi-phase character of the polycrystalline composites on their integral elastic properties. The study shows that the results based on the density functional theory calculations at the atomistic level can be directly used for predictions at the macroscopic scale, effectively scale-jumping several orders of magnitude without using any empirical parameters.