Electrochemically assisted co-precipitation of protein with calcium phosphate coatings on titanium alloy.

A bovine serum albumin protein-containing calcium phosphate coating (BSA/brushite) was prepared by electrochemically assisted co-precipitation onto a hydroxyapatite (HA) coated Ti-6Al-4V surface. Electrochemically assisted co-precipitation of BSA/brushite coatings onto HA resulted in a 70-fold increase in BSA inclusion compared to simple adsorption, and was subsequently released by a slower mechanism (15% loss over 70 h). Thus, this electrochemically assisted co-precipitation technique provides an efficient method of protein incorporation at physiological temperature, with a potential for sustained release of therapeutic agents as may be required for metallic implant fixation. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Ltd.