Fabrication of irregular-layer-free and diameter-tunable Ni–Ti–O nanopores by anodization of NiTi alloy

Controlled drug delivery from chitosan-coated heparin-loaded nanopores anodically grown on nitinol shape-memory alloy

Nitinol (NiTi shape-memory alloy) is an interesting candidate in various medical applications like dental, orthopedic, and cardiovascular devices, owing to its unique mechanical behaviors and proper biocompatibility. The aim of this work is the local controlled delivery of a cardiovascular drug, heparin, loaded onto nitinol treated by electrochemical anodizing and chitosan coating. In this regard, the structure, wettability, drug release kinetics, and cell cytocompatibility of the specimens were analyzed in vitro. The two-stage anodizing process successfully developed a regular nanoporous layer of Ni-Ti-O on nitinol, which considerably decreased the sessile water contact angle and induced hydrophilicity. The application of the chitosan coatings controlled the release of heparin mainly by a diffusional mechanism, where the drug release mechanisms were evaluated by the Higuchi, first-order, zero-order, and Korsmeyer-Pepass models. Human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs) viability assay also showed the non-cytotoxicity of the samples, so that the best performance was found for the chitosan-coated samples. It is concluded that the designed drug delivery systems are promising for cardiovascular, particularly stent applications.

Advancing Nitinol: From heat treatment to surface functionalization for nickel–titanium (NiTi) instruments in endodontics

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloy has been extensively researched in endodontics, particularly in cleaning and shaping the root canal system. Research advances have primarily focused on the design, shape, and geometry of the NiTi files as well as metallurgy and mechanical properties. So far, extensive investigations have been made surrounding surface and thermomechanical treatments, however, limited work has been done in the realm of surface functionalization to augment its performance in endodontics. This review summarizes the unique characteristics, current use, and latest developments in thermomechanically treated NiTi endodontic files. It discusses recent improvements in nano-engineering and the possibility of customizing the NiTi file surface for added functionalization. Whilst clinical translation of this technology has yet to be fully realized, future research direction will lie in the use of nanotechnology.

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Nitinol (Nickel Titanium alloy) is widely used to clean/shape root canal system in endodontics.

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To enhance its performance, various thermo-mechanical and nano-engineering modifications have been performed.

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This comprehensive review summarizes the latest advances and future trends relating to functionalized NiTi endodontic files.

A review: research progress on the formation mechanism of porous anodic oxides

Owing to the great development potential of porous anodic oxides (PAO) in many fields, research on their formation mechanisms, fabrication processes and applications has a history of more than ten years. Although compared with research on the fabrication processes and applications of PAO, research on their formation mechanisms started late, several mainstream theories have been formed in the academic community, including the field-assisted dissolution (FAD) theory, the field-assisted ejection (FAE) theory, the self-organization theory, the ionic and electronic current theory and the oxygen bubble mould effect. This review will focus on summarizing the core views of the mainstream mechanisms mentioned above and comparing the explanations for some of their classical experimental phenomena.

Preparation of Ti-Nb-Fe-O Nanotubes on Ti10NbxFe Alloy and the Application for Photocatalytic Degradation under Solar Irradiation

Highly oriented and self-ordered titanium-niobium-iron mixed oxide nanotubes were synthesized by anodizing Ti10NbxFe alloys in ethylene glycol electrolytes containing NH4F and water at 20 °C. The nanostructure morphologies were found to depend closely on the nature of the alloy substrates. The results demonstrate the possibility of growing mixed oxide nanotubes possessing several-micrometer-thick layers by a simple and straightforward electrochemical route. The methylene blue degradation rate of fabricated Ti-Nb-Fe-O nanotubes increased by 33% compared to TiO2 nanotubes and TiO2 nanoparticle films under solar irradiation. The combination of the gully-like morphology and the rich defects introduced by Nb and Fe co-doping in Ti-Nb-Fe-O mixed nanotube oxides was demonstrated to be beneficial for enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance. Ti-Nb-Fe-O nanotubes can achieve effective photodegradation without secondary pollution with more reusability than powder photocatalysts.

Regulation of endothelial functionality through direct and immunomodulatory effects by Ni-Ti-O nanospindles on NiTi alloy

Stent implantation has become one of the most widely used methods for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. However, endothelial dysfunction and abnormal inflammatory response following implantation may lead to delayed re-endothelialization, resulting in vascular restenosis and stent thrombus. To address the concerns, we constructed nanospindles composed of TiO₂ and Ti₄Ni₂O through hydrothermal treatment of amorphous Ni-Ti-O nanopores anodically grown on NiTi alloy. The results show the treatment can significantly improve hydrophilicity and reduce Ni ion release, essentially independent of hydrothermal duration. The nanospindle surfaces not only promote the expression of endothelial functionality but also activate macrophages to induce a favorable immune response, downregulate pro-inflammatory M1 markers and upregulate pro-healing M2 markers. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis, VEGF secretion, and migration of endothelial cells are enhanced after cultured in macrophage conditioned medium. The nanospindles thus are promising as vascular stent coatings to promote re-endothelization.

Voltage-Driven Room-Temperature Resistance and Magnetization Switching in Ceramic TiO2/PAA Nanoporous Composite Films

Voltage control of room-temperature ferromagnetism has remained a big challenge which will greatly influence the multifunctional memory devices. In this paper, porous TiO₂ thin films were deposited by dc-reactive magnetron sputtering onto ordered porous anodic alumina (PAA) substrates. Voltage-driving room-temperature resistance and magnetization switching without external magnetic field are simultaneously found in an Ag/TiO₂/PAA/Al (Ag/TP/Al) device. Further analysis indicates that the formation/rupture of oxygen vacancy defect-based conductive filaments would be responsible for the changes of resistivity and magnetization. Our present results suggest that the TP nanoporous composite film material may therefore be used to achieve voltage control of magnetism and resistance switching in the future multifunctional memory devices. The Ag/TP/Al devices can also be used for new spintronic devices, neuromorphic operations, and alternative logic circuits and computing.

Enhanced Capacitance of TiO2 Nanotubes with a Double-Layer Structure Fabricated in NH4F/H3PO4 Mixed Electrolyte

TiO₂ is an attractive electrode material in fast charging/discharging supercapacitors because of its high specific surface area. However, the low capacitance of TiO₂ nanotubes as-anodized in the classical electrolyte restricts their further application in supercapacitors. Here, we study the performances of larger-diameter nanotubes with a double-layer structure fabricated in an NH₄F/phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) mixed electrolyte. Results show that the double-layer structure increased the specific surface area of nanotubes owing to the cavities between the double layers and the porous structure on walls. After soaking in H₃PO₄ aqueous solution for 40 min, the nanotubes anodized in the mixed electrolyte containing 6 wt % H₃PO₄ show a specific capacitance of 13.89 mF cm^-2, ∼3.11 times that of the pristine nanotubes in the classical electrolyte. The specific surface area of the soaked nanotubes is up to 113.2 m² g^-1, which is ∼2.94 times that of the pristine nanotubes. The values of specific surface area of the anodized nanotubes and the soaked nanotubes fabricated in the mixed electrolyte containing 6 wt % H₃PO₄ are roughly equal. It demonstrated that the specific surface area increased mainly due to the double-layer structure. The double-layer structure reveals a new strategy to enhance the specific capacitance of TiO₂ nanotubes.