Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation of TiZr Alloy in ZnONPs-Contained Solution: Structural and Biological Assessment

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys with zirconium (Zr) due of their biological safety, lower elastic modulus and excellent corrosion resistance are the most attractive metallic materials for medical applications. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is an environment-friendly process with rapid deposition of anodic oxide coating on the implant surface. PEO coating can incorporate different nanoparticles (NPs) into implant surface such as ZnO that stimulates osteoblast proliferation and mineralization, possesses antibacterial ability. The aim of current research was to evaluate structural and chemical properties of TiZr-alloy with addition ZnO NPs after the PEO in Ca/P solution. The alloy of the Titanium-zirconium system was obtained from Osteoplant R&D (Dębica, Poland). ZnO nanocrystals have been synthesized through the alcoholysis and condensation reaction, known as polyol process. The pretreated samples were subjected to anodization in electrolytic bath, which contained of Ca(H₂PO₂)₂ (0.1 Mol/L) and silver nanoparticles (40,000 mg/L). Ready samples were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) which showed surface with oxide layer with large pores in different size. The process of apatite deposition is confirmed the biocompatibility properties of obtained coatings in SBF immersion test. ZnO NPs demonstrated high bacteriostatic activity and absent of cell toxicity. The obtained results showed, that PEO of TiZr alloy in Ca–P based solution with ZnO NPs is a great potential method of surface modification of implants for orthopedics and dentistry.