Composite and Surface Functionalization of Ultrafine-Grained Ti23Zr25Nb Alloy for Medical Applications

Abstract

In this study, the ultrafine-grained Ti23Zr25Nb-based composites with 45S5 Bioglass and Ag, Cu, or Zn additions were produced by application of the mechanical alloying technique. Additionally, the base Ti23Zr25Nb alloy was electrochemically modified in the two stages of processing: electrochemical etching in the solution of H3PO4 and HF followed by electrochemical deposition in Ca(NO3)2, (NH4)2HPO4, and HCl. The in vitro cytocompatibility studies were also done with comparison to the commercially pure titanium. The established cell lines of Normal Human Osteoblasts (NHost, CC-2538) and Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts (HPdLF, CC-7049) were used. The culture was conducted among the tested materials. Ultrafine-grained titanium-based composites modified with 45S5 Bioglass and Ag, Cu, or Zn metals have higher biocompatibility than the reference material in the form of a microcrystalline Ti. Proliferation activity was at a stable level with contact with studied materials. In vitro evaluation research showed that the ultrafine-grained Ti23Zr25Nb-based composites with 45S5 Bioglass and Ag, Cu, or Zn additions, with a Young modulus below 50 GPa, can be further used in the biomedical field.

Ultrafine-Grained Ti-31Mo-Type Composites with HA and Ag, Ta2O5 or CeO2 Addition for Implant Applications

“…The aim of the current study is directed at improving the physicochemical and mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility of Ti-based systems through crystal structure evolution (α → β) and new microstructure formation (micro → nano or ultrafine) via its chemical composition modification and processing method, respectively [ 4 , 5 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. β-type titanium alloys are interesting biomaterials for innovative implantable medical devices.…”

“…β-type titanium alloys are interesting biomaterials for innovative implantable medical devices. Recently studies on TiMo, TiNb, TiZrNb, TiNbHf, TiNbZrTa, TiNbZrTaSiFe have confirmed their interesting properties for future application in medicine [ 9 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. It is important to note, that the cytotoxicity of Mo, Zr, and Nb is lower than that for commercial purity Ti [ 26 ].…”

“…One possibility to enhance the mechanical, corrosion, and biological properties of implant materials, except the chemical composition modification, is the microstructure control via severe plastic deformation (SPD) [ 28 , 29 ] or mechanical alloying (MA) processing methods [ 11 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Published results proved that the nano- or ultrafine grain microstructure of titanium and its alloys improved the mechanical properties as well as the biocompatibility [ 18 , 19 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

“…Bioceramic–titanium composites will have practical applications in medicine and can replace titanium alloys with a ceramic coating. It is well known that ceramic coating improves the surface bioactivity, however, it often falls off due to the poor ceramic/metal interface bonding [ 11 , 19 , 34 ].…”

“…Biomaterials with nano- or ultrafine- grains offer an interesting property for new products in medical applications [ 4 , 10 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 35 ]. Our previous studies confirmed that Ti or Ni-free 316L stainless steel—hydroxyapatite composites exhibit superior properties due to the nanostructure.…”