Synthesis and characterization of hybrid micro/nano-structured NiTi surfaces by a combination of etching and anodizing

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.

Comparison of Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta and Ti-6Al-4V hydrofluoric acid/magnesium-doped surfaces obtained by anodizing

OBJECTIVES

Development of a new generation of stable β alloy, free of aluminum or vanadium and with better biological and mechanical compatibility and evaluate the surface properties of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta after anodization in hydrofluoric acid, followed by deposition of different electrolyte concentrations of magnesium particles by micro arc-oxidation treatment.

METHODS

Disks were anodized in hydrofluoric acid. After this first anodization, the specimens received the deposition of magnesium using different concentration (8.5% and 12.5%) and times (30s and 60s). The surface morphology was assessed using scanning electron microscopy, and the chemical composition was assessed using energy dispersive x ray spectroscopy. The surface free energy was measured from the contact angle, and the mean roughness was measured using a digital profilometer.

RESULTS

Anodization in hydrofluoric acid provided the formation of nanotubes in both alloys, and the best concentration of magnesium considered was 8.5%, as it was the condition where the magnesium was incorporated without covering the morphology of the nanotubes. X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy showed magnesium incorporation in all conditions. The average roughness was increased in the Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta alloy.

CONCLUSIONS

It was concluded that anodizing could be used to deposit magnesium on the surfaces of Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta nanotubes, with better results obtained in samples with magnesium concentration in 8.5% and the process favored the roughness in the Ti-35Nb-7Zr-5Ta group.

Fabrication of all-transparent polymer-based and encapsulated nanofluidic devices using nano-indentation lithography

In this paper, we describe a novel and simple process for the fabrication of all-transparent and encapsulated polymeric nanofluidic devices using nano-indentation lithography. First, a nanomechanical probe is used to 'scratch' nanoscale channels on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) substrates with sufficiently high hardness. Next, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is used twice to duplicate the nanochannels onto PDMS substrates from the 'nano-scratched' PMMA substrates. A number of experiments are conducted to explore the relationships between the nano-indentation parameters and the nanochannel dimensions and to control the aspect ratio of the fabricated nanochannels. In addition, traditional photolithography combined with soft lithography is employed to fabricate microchannels on another PDMS 'cap' substrate. After manually aligning the substrates, all uncovered channels on two separate PDMS substrates are bonded to achieve a sealed and transparent nanofluidic device, which makes the dimensional transition from microscale to nanoscale feasible. The smallest dimensions of the achievable nanochannels that we have demonstrated thus far are of ~20 nm depth and ~800 nm width, with lengths extendable beyond 100 μm. Fluid flow experiments are performed to verify the reliability of the device. Two types of colloidal solution are used to visualize the fluid flow through the nanochannels, that is, ethanol is mixed with gold colloid or fluorescent dye (fluorescein isothiocyanate), and the flow rate and filling time of liquid in the nanochannels are estimated based on time-lapsed image data. The simplicity of the fabrication process, bio-compatibility of the polymer substrates, and optical transparency of the nanochannels for flow visualization are key characteristics of this approach that will be very useful for nanofluidic and biomolecular research applications in the future.

The effects of plasma electrolytically oxidized NiTi on in vitro endothelialization

The role of biomaterials surface in controlling the interfacial biological events leading to implant integration is of key importance. In this study, the effects of NiTi surfaces treated by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) have been investigated. The changes in NiTi surface morphology and chemistry were assessed by SEM, XPS and cross-section TEM/EDX analyzes whereas the effects of the resultant surfaces on in vitro endothelialization and cell junction proteins have been evaluated by life/dead staining, SEM, cells counting, qPCR and immunofluorescence. The findings indicated that the PEO-treated NiTi, with a microporous morphology and oxide dominated surface chemistry, supports viability and proliferation of HUVECs. Numerous thin filopodia probing the microporous surface assisted cells attachment. In addition, claudin-5 and occludin have been upregulated and expression of vascular endothelial-cadherin was not suppressed on PEO-treated NiTi relative to the reference electropolished surfaces. The results of this study suggest that novel NiTi surfaces may be developed using the PEO process, which can be of benefit to atherosclerosis treatment.

Effect of oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation on the formation of nanostructures over Ni–Ti alloy

Ni–Ti alloy has been implanted with oxygen ions by plasma immersion ion implantation. Ni–Ti–O nanotubes are formed by anodic oxidation of oxygen implanted Ni–Ti alloy.

Development of a novel biomimetic micro/nano-hierarchical interface for enhancement of osseointegration

In the present study, a novel biomimetic micro/nano-hierarchical interface was obtained and an unexpected trabecular bone-like interface was given.

Fabrication of Ni-Ti-O nanotube arrays by anodization of NiTi alloy and their potential applications

Nickel-titanium-oxide (Ni-Ti-O) nanotube arrays (NTAs) prepared on nearly equiatomic NiTi alloy shall have broad application potential such as for energy storage and biomedicine, but their precise structure control is a great challenge because of the high content of alloying element of Ni, a non-valve metal that cannot form a compact electronic insulating passive layer when anodized. In the present work, we systemically investigated the influence of various anodization parameters on the formation and structure of Ni-Ti-O NTAs and their potential applications. Our results show that well controlled NTAs can be fabricated during relatively wide ranges of the anodization voltage (5-90 V), electrolyte temperature (10-50°C) and electrolyte NH4F content (0.025-0.8 wt%) but within a narrow window of the electrolyte H2O content (0.0-1.0 vol%). Through modulating these parameters, the Ni-Ti-O NTAs with different diameter (15-70 nm) and length (45-1320 nm) can be produced in a controlled manner. Regarding potential applications, the Ni-Ti-O NTAs may be used as electrodes for electrochemical energy storage and non-enzymic glucose detection, and may constitute nanoscaled biofunctional coating to improve the biological performance of NiTi based biomedical implants.