Extension of hydrophilicity stability by reactive plasma treatment and wet storage on TiO₂nanotube surfaces for biomedical implant applications

Abstract

Micro and nanoscale changes allow the optimization of physico-chemical properties of titanium implant surfaces. Recently UV and plasma treatments have allowed surface hydrophilicity to take increased prominence; however, this beneficial effect is short-lived. The aim of this study is to investigate methodologies post-anodizing treatment to generate and maintain high surface hydrophilicity along with high biocompatibility. Anodized surfaces were characterized regarding physical–chemical properties. Then, surface wettability with nanomorphology was evaluated at different times and with distinct post-treatments: as deposited, with a reactive plasma and UV-light post-treatment, stored in air or deionized (DI) water. Adhesion, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and bone cell viability tests were executed after the incremental treatments. The anodizing process generated a surface with TiO 2 nanotubes morphology and micro-roughness. Plasma-treated surfaces resulted in the most hydrophilic samples and this property was maintained for a longer period when those were stored in DI water (angle variation of 7° to 12° in 21 days). Furthermore, plasma post-treatment changed the titanium surface crystalline phase from amorphous to anatase. Anodized surfaces modified by reactive plasma and stored in DI water suggest better hydrophilicity stability, biocompatibility, ALP activity and achievement of crystalline phase alteration, indicating future potential use on biomedical implants.

Encapsulation and Release of Doxorubicin from TiO2Nanotubes: Experiment, Density Functional Theory Calculations, and Molecular Dynamics Simulation

“…74−76 For example, reactive plasma or UV light treatment greatly enhanced the hydro-philicity of TiO 2 nanotubes. 75 PEG as a coating or capping agent might drastically modify the hydrophilicity and thus the wettability of surfaces and tube entrances, which is pivotal for drug release. 72,77 The water contact angles for the pristine Ti foil and the anodized TiO 2 nanotubes were measured as 40.2°and 16.3°, respectively (Figure S2, SI), showing the highly hydrophilic character of TiO 2 nanotubes.…”

Integration of Bioglass Into PHBV-Constructed Tissue-Engineered Cartilages to Improve Chondrogenic Properties of Cartilage Progenitor Cells

“…The hydrophilicity is a critical element influencing cell attachment, growth and proliferation, biocompatibility, fast cell adhesion and growth, and physical–chemical resistance ( Wang et al, 2022 ). Hydrophilicity of the material surface can influence cell attachment and cell shape, which can also dictate proliferation and differentiation of cells on the material surface or in the materials ( Kunrath et al, 2020 ). Marcel F Kunrath et al proposed that the application of plasma-treated surfaces resulted in the most hydrophilic specimen ( Kunrath et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Hydrophilicity of the material surface can influence cell attachment and cell shape, which can also dictate proliferation and differentiation of cells on the material surface or in the materials ( Kunrath et al, 2020 ). Marcel F Kunrath et al proposed that the application of plasma-treated surfaces resulted in the most hydrophilic specimen ( Kunrath et al, 2020 ). Some studies have proposed the application of nonthermal atmospheric pressure plasma, and ultraviolet treatments change negatively charged hydrophobic (bioinert) surfaces into positively charged hydrophilic (bioactive) surfaces, improving osteoblastic cell adhesion, albumin adsorption, and cytoskeleton development ( Choi et al, 2016 ).…”

A state-of-the-art review of the fabrication and characteristics of titanium and its alloys for biomedical applications

“…Such methods include glow discharge plasma treatments, ion implantation, physical vapor deposition, and thermal spraying. The resulting layer of coating or film formation on the surface of titanium substrate is simply a product of transferring various types of energy, such as kinetic, electrical, or thermal, which is unique to each method [ 159 – 161 ].…”