Nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite/titania coatings on titanium improves osteoblast adhesion

Bulk hydroxyapatite (HA) and titania have been used to improve the osseointegration of orthopedic implants. For this reason, composites of HA and titania have been receiving increased attention in orthopedics as novel coating materials. The objective of this in vitro study was to produce nanophase (i.e., materials with grain size less than 100 nm) HA/titania coatings on titanium. The adhesion of bone forming cells (osteoblasts) on the composite coatings were also assessed and compared with single-phase nanotitania and nano-HA titanium coatings. Nanocrystalline HA powders were synthesized through wet chemistry and hydrothermal treatments at 200 degrees C. Nanocrystalline titania powders obtained commercially were mixed with the nanocrystalline HA powders at various weight ratios. The mixed powders were then deposited on titanium utilizing a room-temperature coating process called IonTite. The results of the present study showed that such coatings maintained the chemistry and crystallite size of the original HA and titania powders. Moreover, osteoblasts adherent on single-phase nanotitania coatings were well-spread whereas they became more round and extended distinct filopodia on the composite and single-phase HA coatings. Interestingly, the number of osteoblasts adherent on the nanotitania/HA composite coatings at weight ratios of 2/1 and 1/2 were significantly greater compared with single-phase nanotitania coatings, currently-used plasma-sprayed HA coatings, and uncoated titanium. These findings suggest that nanotitania/HA coatings on titanium should be further studied for improved orthopedic applications.