K. S. Raja, K. Paramguru, S. Namjoshi, M. Misra, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, NV
Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) with a Ca/P ratio closer to 1.5 resembles bone mineral both structurally and compositionally. Electrochemical deposition of CDHA is being carried out on anodized titanium. Regular arrays of nanotube structure of titania resulted in a nano-crystalline apatitic coating on titanium substrate. Diameter and length of the titania nanotubes are optimized to obtain a higher bond strength by controlling both the anodization and deposition parameters. The effect of crystal structure of the titania tubes (amorphous vs anatase) on bonding characteristics is also being studied. Multi step-multi voltage anodization of titanium is being carried out in different electrolytes in order to obtain inter connected nano-pores with varying pore density across the thickness of the oxide layer. This type of nanotube configuration can be used for in-situ drug delivery system.
Summary: Calcium-deficient apatitic nano-crystals are electrodeposited on anodized titanium that showed regular arrays of nanotube oxide structure. The anodization and deposition processes are optimized to have higher bond strength, phase stability and improved bioactivity. Inter connected pores with varying pore density across coating thickness may be useful for in-situ drug delivery.