Comparative properties of siloxane vs phosphonate monolayers on a key titanium alloy

A direct comparison of surface loading, interface shear strength, and interface hydrolytic stability was made between a phosphonate and two siloxane monolayers formed on the native oxide surface of Ti-6Al-4V. Surface loading for the phosphonate was ca. four times greater (on a nanomole/area basis) than for the siloxanes; mechanical strengths per surface-bound molecule were comparable, but the hydrolytic stability (pH 7.5) of the siloxanes was poor. These results suggest that phosphonate monolayer interfaces are more desirable than comparable siloxane ones for applications where such interfaces contact even slightly alkaline water.