Structure and properties of composite surface layers produced on NiTi shape memory alloy by a hybrid method

A hybrid process that combines oxidation under glow-discharge conditions with ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) has been applied to mechanically polished NiTi shape memory alloy in order to produce composite surface layers consisting of a TiO₂ layer and an external carbon coating with an addition of silver. The produced surface layers a-C(Ag) + TiO₂ type have shown increased surface roughness, improved corrosion resistance, altered wettability, and surface free energy, as well as reduced platelet adhesion, aggregation, and activation in comparison to NiTi alloy in initial state. Such characteristics can be of great benefit for cardiac applications.

The effect of sodium-ion implantation on the properties of titanium

This paper deals with the surface modification of titanium by sodium-ion implantation and with the effect of this modification on structure, corrosion resistance, bioactivity and cytocompatibility. The Na ions were implanted with doses of 1 x 10(17) and 4 x 10(17) ions/cm(2) at an energy of 25 keV. The chemical composition of the surface layers formed during the implantation was examined by secondary-ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and their microstructure--by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The corrosion resistance was determined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 degrees C, after exposure in SBF for various times. The surfaces of the samples were examined by optical microscopy, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDS), and by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Biocompatibility of the modified surface was evaluated in vitro in a culture of the MG-63 cell line and human osteoblast cells. The TEM results indicate that the surface layers formed during the implantation of Na-ions are amorphous. The results of the electrochemical examinations obtained for the Na-implanted titanium samples indicate that the implantation increases corrosion resistance. Sodium-ion implantation improves bioactivity and does not reduce biocompatibility.

Effect of dual ion implantation of calcium and phosphorus on the properties of titanium

This study is concerned with the effect of dual implantation of calcium and phosphorus upon the structure, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium. The ions were implanted in sequence, first Ca and then P, both at a dose of 10(17) ions/cm2 at a beam energy of 25 keV. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the implanted layer. The chemical composition of the implanted layer was examined by XPS and SIMS. The corrosion resistance was determined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 degrees C. The biocompatibility tests were performed in vitro in a culture of human-derived bone cells (HDBC) in contact with the tested materials. The viability of the cells was determined by an XTT assay and their activity by the measurements of the alkaline phosphatase activity in contact with implanted and non-implanted titanium samples. The in vitro examinations confirmed that, under the conditions prevailing during the experiments, the biocompatibility of Ca + P ion-implanted titanium was satisfactory. TEM results show that the surface layer formed by the Ca + P implantation is amorphous. The corrosion resistance of titanium, examined by the electrochemical methods, appeared to be increased after the Ca + P ion implantation.

Corrosion resistance and bioactivity of titanium after surface treatment by three different methods: ion implantation, alkaline treatment and anodic oxidation

The paper compares the effects of various surface modifications, ion implantation, alkaline treatment and anodic oxidation, upon the corrosion resistance and bioactivity of titanium. The chemical composition of the surface layers thus produced was determined by XPS, SIMS and EDS coupled with SEM. The structure of the layers was examined by TEM, and their phase composition by XRD. The corrosion resistance was determined by electrochemical methods after the samples were exposed to the test conditions for 13 h. The bioactivity of titanium was evaluated in a simulated body fluid at a temperature of 37 degrees C after various exposure time.

Physical and chemical limitations to preparation of beta radioactive stents by direct neutron activation

Pure beta emitters are the sources of choice for intracoronary irradiations in restenosis prevention. In this work we reconsidered preparation of low activity 32P sources by ion-implantation of stable 31P into highly biocompatible pure titanium stents, followed by neutron activation. Gamma-spectrometrical analysis has shown that during activations with high thermal neutrons flux production of gamma-active long-lived contaminants is much beyond the dosimetrically acceptable limit, mainly due to the competing (n,p) reactions induced by the fast neutrons on isotopes of the bulk stent material, and to a lesser extent due to (n,gamma) reactions on chemical impurities. A potential applicability of this method for obtaining alternative beta radioactive stents is discussed.

Effect of phosphorus-ion implantation on the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium

This work presents data on the structure and corrosion resistance of titanium after phosphorus-ion implantation with a dose of 10(17)P/cm2. The ion energy was 25keV. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the implanted layer. The chemical composition of the surface layer was examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The corrosion resistance was examined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid at a temperature of 37 C. Biocompatibility tests in vitro were performed in a culture of human derived bone cells in direct contact with the materials tested. Both, the viability of the cells determined by an XTT assay and activity of the cells evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity measurements in contact with implanted and non-implanted titanium samples were detected. The morphology of the cells spread on the surface of the materials examined was also observed. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of both phosphorus-ion-implanted and non-implanted titanium under the conditions of the experiment. As shown by transmission electron microscope results, the surface layer formed during phosphorus-ion implantation was amorphous. The results of electrochemical examinations indicate that phosphorus-ion implantation increases the corrosion resistance after short-term as well as long-term exposures.

Effect of calcium-ion implantation on the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of titanium

This work presents data on the structure and corrosion resistance of titanium after calcium-ion implantation with a dose of 10(17) Ca+/cm2. The ion energy was 25 keV. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the microstructure of the implanted layer. The chemical composition of the surface layer was examined by XPS and SIMS. The corrosion resistance was examined by electrochemical methods in a simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 degrees C. Biocompatibility tests in vitro were performed in a culture of human derived bone cells (HDBC) in direct contact with the materials tested. Both, the viability of the cells determined by an XTT assay and activity of the cells evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity measurements in contact with implanted and non-implanted titanium samples were detected. The morphology of the cells spread on the surface of the materials examined was also observed. The results confirmed the biocompatibility of both calcium-ion-implanted and non-implanted titanium under the conditions of the experiment. As shown by TEM results, the surface layer formed during calcium-ion implantation was amorphous. The results of electrochemical examinations indicate that calcium-ion implantation increases the corrosion resistance, but only under stationary conditions; during anodic polarization the calcium-ion-implanted samples undergo pitting corrosion. The breakdown potential is high (2.7-3 V).