Studies of electrochemical stability and corrosion resistance of titanium nanostructured surfaces

Abstract

Nanostructured materials provide completely new interactions between the implant surfaces and cells, because the surface area is considerably increased beyond the topography can be nanomodified to resemble the native bone tissue (Bjursten 2010). TiO2 nanostructures have received much attention in recent years due to photo-excitation and strong catalytic properties, in addition to other potential technical applications as for example in orthopedic and dental implants (Oh et al. 2005). Recently, it was found that both nanoscale pores as tubular layers of oxides on Ti alloys may increase bioactivity of an implant, and that the formation of nanotubes sorted in these leagues can improve the osseointegration of implants (SAJI et al., 2009a-c). It was also verified that TiO2 nanotubes can induce the formation of structures "nano-stimulated", that is, extremely fine nanofibers of sodium titanate, which in turn, when immersed in SBF solution induces the formation and growth of hydroxyapatite nanostructured phases (OH et al. 2005). TiO2 nanotubes can be obtained by various techniques such as sol-gel method, electrophoretic deposition and electrochemical anodization. For biomedical applications, attachment and mechanical integrity are very important, and the method of anodizing is what gives the best results, as well as, under conditions optimized, be an effective and cost-efficient method to obtain nanotubes sorted in biomaterials surface (OH et al. 2005; SAJI et al., 2009a-c; Lin et al. 2013). Electrochemical techniques are extensively used for investigations of electrode processes and mechanisms of corrosion, and can be used in determining the speed of corrosion and electrochemical stability (Oliveira et. Al. 2007 and 2009). The advantages offered by electrochemical methods refer to the possibility of being applied in vitro studies in aggressive media. Therefore, the objective of the present research project will use open circuit potential measures and potenciodynamic polarization to characterize the behavior and electrochemical corrosion resistance of titanium after the formation of nanotubes in different experimental conditions. (AU)