Wettability and in-vitro study of titanium surface profiling prepared by electrolytic plasma processing.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Titanium (Ti) is widely used in biomedical implants due to its biocompatibility.
• Enhancing titanium's surface properties is crucial for improving implant osseointegration and clinical success.
• Developing effective surface modification techniques for titanium remains an active area of research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the creation of hydrophilic surface profiles on titanium using electrolytic plasma processing (EPP).
• To characterize the wettability, morphology, and chemical composition of EPP-treated titanium surfaces.
• To evaluate the in-vitro bioactivity and potential for bone implant bonding of the modified titanium surfaces.

Main Methods:

• Electrolytic plasma processing (EPP) was employed to modify the titanium surface.
• Surface wettability was assessed by measuring contact angles.
• Surface morphology was analyzed using profilometry to determine roughness and surface area ratios.
• In-vitro bioactivity was evaluated using cell-free assays and MC3T3 cell culture studies.

Main Results:

• EPP generated a 'hills and valleys' surface morphology with bimodal height distribution and nano-roughness.
• The treated titanium surfaces exhibited superhydrophilicity, with contact angles decreasing significantly (from 38.7° to 5.4°).
• EPP-treated titanium demonstrated enhanced bioactivity, promoting stoichiometric hydroxyapatite formation and significantly improving MC3T3 cell attachment and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• Electrolytic plasma processing is an effective method for creating superhydrophilic and bioactive titanium surfaces.
• The unique surface morphology and properties induced by EPP enhance cell interaction and hydroxyapatite formation.
• EPP-treated titanium shows significant potential for improving bone implant bonding and clinical outcomes.