Fluoridated hydroxyapatite/titanium dioxide nanocomposite coating fabricated by a modified electrochemical deposition

Fluoridated hydroxyapatite/titanium dioxide nanocomposite coating was successfully fabricated by a modified electrochemical deposition technique. F(-) ions, nanoscaled TiO(2) particles and 6% H(2)O(2) was added into the electrolyte, and ultrasonication was also performed to prepare this nanocomposite coating. The microstructure, phase composition, dissolution rate, bonding strength and in vitro cellular responses of the composite coating were investigated. The results show that the composite coating was uniform and dense owing to the effects of H(2)O(2) and ultrasonication. The thickness of the composite coating was ~5 mum and scanning electron microscopy revealed that nanoscaled TiO(2) particles were imbedded uniformly between FHA crystals. The addition of F(-) and TiO(2) reduced the crystallite size and increased the crystallinity of HA in FHA/TiO(2) composite coating. In addition, the composite coating shows higher bonding strength and lower dissolution rate than pure HA coating, and the in vitro bioactivity of FHA/TiO(2) composite coating was not affected as compared with pure HA coating.