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Influence of microstructure and chemical composition of sputter deposited TiO2 thin films on in vitro bioactivity

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Abstract

Functionalisation of biomedical implants via surface modifications for tailored tissue response is a growing field of research. Crystalline TiO2 has been proven to be a bone bioactive, non-resorbable material. In contact with body fluids a hydroxyapaptite (HA) layer forms on its surface facilitating the bone contact. Thus, the path of improving biomedical implants via deposition of crystalline TiO2 on the surface is interesting to follow. In this study we have evaluated the influence of microstructure and chemical composition of sputter deposited titanium oxide thin films on the in vitro bioactivity. We find that both substrate bias, topography and the flow ratio of the gases used during sputtering affect the HA layer formed on the films after immersion in simulated body fluid at 37°C. A random distribution of anatase and rutile crystals, formed at negative substrate bias and low Ar to O2 gas flow ratios, are shown to favor the growth of flat HA crystal structures whereas higher flow ratios and positive substrate bias induced growth of more spherical HA structures. These findings should provide valuable information when optimizing the bioactivity of titanium oxide coatings as well as for tailoring process parameters for sputtered-based production of bioactive titanium oxide implant surfaces.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division for Nanotechnology and Functional Materials, Department of Engineering Sciences, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 534, 75121, Uppsala, Sweden

    Mirjam Lilja & Maria Strømme

  2. Division of Applied Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences, The Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 534, 75121, Uppsala, Sweden

    Axel Genvad & Håkan Enqvist

  3. Sandvik Tooling Sverige AB, Lerkrogsvägen 19, 12680, Stockholm, Sweden

    Mirjam Lilja & Maria Åstrand

Authors
  1. Mirjam Lilja
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  2. Axel Genvad
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  3. Maria Åstrand
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  4. Maria Strømme
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  5. Håkan Enqvist
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Correspondence to Maria Strømme or Håkan Enqvist.

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Lilja, M., Genvad, A., Åstrand, M. et al. Influence of microstructure and chemical composition of sputter deposited TiO2 thin films on in vitro bioactivity. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 22, 2727–2734 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4465-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-011-4465-6

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