Electrophoretic deposition of HA/MWNTs composite coating for biomaterial applications

A composite coating of hydroxyapatite (HA)/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) has been fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). The nano powders of HA and MWNTs were dispersed in ethanol with total concentration of 0.005 g/mL and MWNTs 20% and 30% contents (wt). And the pH value of suspension was adjusted in a range from 4 to 5. After stabilization the mixture was ultrasonically treated for 3 h to form a stable suspension. Prior to the electrophoretic deposition, the titanium substrate was hydrothermally treated at 140 in NaOH (10 mol/L) solution for 6 h. A titanium sheet and circinal net of stainless steel were used as a cathode and an anode respectively, and a constant deposition voltage of 30 V was applied for 50-60 s in the EPD process. The thickness of the coatings was controlled from 10 microm to 20 microm. The samples of composite coating were then sintered in a resistance tube furnace in flowing argon at 700 for 2 h. The structure of the as prepared coating was characterized by SEM and XRD, and the bonding force of the coating/substrate was measured by an interfacial shear strength test. It is shown that the bonding strengths between the coating and the titanium substrate is as high as 35 MPa. The cell culture experiments indicate that the prepared composite coating of HA/MWNTs possesses good biocompatibility.