Engineering Nanotextured Titanium Surfaces

Abstract

Nanotextured titanium oxide surfaces were obtained by electrochemical anodization of Ti6Al4V alloy. Two different types of electrolytes containing different amounts of water and NH4F concentration in ethylene glycol were used. This work focused on structural modifications by varying the F-ion concentration in the electrolyte, anodization voltage and time. The effect of these anodization parameters on nanotextured morphology and dimensions was studied. The titania nanotube diameters ranging from 50 to 135 nm, and the lengths ranging from 0.5 to 5 µm, were obtained. The morphology showed strong dependence on electrolyte composition whereas, the nanotube dimensions showed dependence on anodization voltage and time. To extend the possibility of fabricating nanotubes on a wide range of Ti6Al4V implant surfaces such as rolled surfaces, thermal plasma sprayed surfaces, and next generation orthopedic implant surfaces made by powder metallurgy, were also targeted in this study.