Julietta V Rau1, Ilaria Cacciotti2,3, Sara Laureti4, Marco Fosca1, Gaspare Varvaro4, Alessandro Latini5. 1. Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 100-00133, Rome, Italy. 2. Università di Roma "Niccolò Cusano", Via Don Carlo Gnocchi, 3-00166, Rome, Italy. 3. Dipartimento di Ingegneria dell'Impresa, Università di Roma "Tor Vergata", UdR INSTM-"Roma Tor Vergata", Via del Politecnico, 1-00133, Rome, Italy. 4. Istituto di Struttura della Materia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, 00016, Monterotondo Scalo (RM), Italy. 5. Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Roma "La Sapienza", Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5-00185, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
AIMS: The aim of this work was to deposit silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HAp) coatings on titanium for biomedical applications, since it is known that Si-HAp is able to promote osteoblastic cells activity, resulting in the enhanced bone ingrowth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method was used for coatings preparation. For depositions, Si-HAp targets (1.4 wt % of Si), made up from nanopowders synthesized by wet method, were used. RESULTS: Microstructural and mechanical properties of the produced coatings, as a function of substrate temperature, were investigated by scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Vickers microhardness. In the temperature range of 400-600°C, 1.4-1.5 µm thick Si-HAp films, presenting composition similar to that of the used target, were deposited. The prepared coatings were dense, crystalline, and nanostructured, characterized by nanotopography of surface and enhanced hardness. Whereas the substrate temperature of 750°C was too high and led to the HAp decomposition. Moreover, the bioactivity of coatings was evaluated by in vitro tests in an osteoblastic/osteoclastic culture medium (α-Modified Eagle's Medium). CONCLUSIONS: The prepared bioactive Si-HAp coatings could be considered for applications in orthopedics and dentistry to improve the osteointegration of bone implants.
AIMS: The aim of this work was to deposit silicon-substituted hydroxyapatite (Si-HAp) coatings on titanium for biomedical applications, since it is known that Si-HAp is able to promote osteoblastic cells activity, resulting in the enhanced bone ingrowth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method was used for coatings preparation. For depositions, Si-HAp targets (1.4 wt % of Si), made up from nanopowders synthesized by wet method, were used. RESULTS: Microstructural and mechanical properties of the produced coatings, as a function of substrate temperature, were investigated by scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Vickers microhardness. In the temperature range of 400-600°C, 1.4-1.5 µm thick Si-HAp films, presenting composition similar to that of the used target, were deposited. The prepared coatings were dense, crystalline, and nanostructured, characterized by nanotopography of surface and enhanced hardness. Whereas the substrate temperature of 750°C was too high and led to the HAp decomposition. Moreover, the bioactivity of coatings was evaluated by in vitro tests in an osteoblastic/osteoclastic culture medium (α-Modified Eagle's Medium). CONCLUSIONS: The prepared bioactive Si-HAp coatings could be considered for applications in orthopedics and dentistry to improve the osteointegration of bone implants.