Study of Corrosion Behavior and Biocompatibility of Multicomponent Alloys derived from Ti-Zr-Nb-Ta-Fe Hf1-xMox System for Biomaterial Applications

Abstract

This master's project proposes a systematic study of the corrosion properties and biocompatibility of multicomponent alloys from the system: TiZrNbTaFeHf1-xMoX with a high tendency to form CCC-type structures. The chosen alloys contain non-toxic elements in their composition and have not yet been reported in the literature. They will be prepared by arc melting. After arc melting, the alloy will undergo specific heat treatments and high-pressure torsion (HPT) in order to promote significant improvements in mechanical and biocompatibility properties. However, greater emphasis will be given to the corrosion measurements of these alloys, which will be performed with or without coating by TiO2 nanotubes regardless of the processing condition. The surface modification of the alloys through coating with TiO2 nanotubes should allow the growth of disordered oxides under the surface, increasing the biocompatibility of the alloys. If this oxide presents vertical ordering in the form of TiO2 nanotubes, it also offers the possibility of accelerating cellular activity through strong adhesion of osteoblastic cells. TiO2 nanotubes will be obtained by electrochemical anodization with fluoride-based electrolytes, and the electrochemical characterization of the alloy's corrosion behavior will be performed by open-circuit potential analysis and potentiodynamic polarization test in 0.9% NaCl solution.