Corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of nanostructured TiO 2 film on Ti6Al4V

The corrosion behavior and cell adhesion property of nanostructured TiO 2 films deposited electrolytically on Ti6Al4V were examined in the present in vitro study. The nanostructured TiO 2 film deposition on Ti6Al4V was achieved via peroxoprecursors. SEM micrographs exhibit the formation of amorphous and crystallite TiO 2 nanoparticles on Ti6Al4V before and after being annealed at 500°C. Corrosion behavior of TiO 2 ‐deposited and uncoated Ti6Al4V was evaluated in freely aerated Hank's solution at 37°C by the measurement and analysis of open‐circuit potential variation with time, Tafel plots, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrochemical results indicated that nano‐TiO 2 coated Ti6Al4V showed a better corrosion resistance in simulated biofluid than uncoated Ti6Al4V. Rat bone cells and human aortic smooth muscle cells were grown on these substrates to study the cellular responses in vitro . The SEM images revealed enhanced cell adhesion, cell spreading, and proliferation on nano‐TiO 2 coated Ti6Al4V compared to those grown on uncoated substrates for both cell lines. These results suggested that nanotopography produced by deposition of nanostructured TiO 2 onto Ti alloy surfaces might enhance corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and cell integration for implants made of Ti alloys. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2007