Corrosion behaviour and bioactivity of electrophoretically deposited hydroxyapatite on titanium in physiological media (Hanks’ solution)

Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings were developed on titanium by electrophoretic deposition at various deposition potentials from 30 to 60 V and at a constant deposition time of 5 minutes using the synthetic HA (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2,) powder in a suspension of dimethyleformamide (DMF, HCON(CH3)2). The electrochemical corrosion behavior of the HA coatings in simulated body fluid (SBF Hanks’ solution) at 37 °C and pH 7.4 was investigated by means of open-circuit potential (OCP) measurement and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The OCP test showed that the values OCP for the coated samples shifted to more noble potential than for uncoated titanium, especially after addition of dispersants. The polarization test revealed that all HA coated specimens had a corrosion resistance higher than that of the substrate, especially after addition of dispersants such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB), polyethylene glycol (PEG) and triethanolamine (TEA) to the suspension. The coating morphology after polarization, characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showed penetration of electrolyte into the HA coats. Bone bioactivity of the coatings was also studied by immersion of coated specimens in Hanks’ solution for 3 and 7 days. Apatite granules growth on the surface of the HA layers was observed.