Three-Dimensional Titanium Substrates with Anodic TiO2 Layers for Enhanced Time-Dependent Corrosion Protection in
Małgorzata Fus1,2, Jakub Skibiński3, Agnieszka Chmielewska-Wysocka4
1Department of Physical Chemistry & Electrochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 2, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
Abstract:
Enhancing the performance of titanium biomaterials remains a critical challenge in the development of durable implant materials, particularly under complex physiological conditions where corrosion processes are influenced by interactions with biological species. Electrochemical oxidation has emerged as a promising approach for generating nanostructured titanium dioxide layers, which can improve corrosion resistance. In this study, nanostructured oxide layers were synthesized on additively manufactured 3D titanium scaffolds via anodization in a fluoride-containing ethylene glycol and water electrolyte. Corrosion resistance was systematically evaluated using open-circuit potential measurements, Tafel analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, considering the effects of biological medium composition and prolonged exposure to corrosive conditions. The main scientific contribution of this work is the elucidation of the time-dependent corrosion behavior and electrochemical stability of anodized additively manufactured titanium scaffolds under physiological exposure conditions. The results demonstrated that the medium composition significantly influenced the properties of the anodized materials, primarily due to the adsorption of medium species on the nanostructured surface. Prolonged exposure tests further confirmed the superior durability of the coatings, which is attributed to the formation of a protective protein layer that enhances corrosion resistance in aggressive environments. These findings advance the understanding of time-dependent corrosion behavior in complex biological environments and highlight the effectiveness of nanostructured oxide layers in maintaining the electrochemical stability of titanium biomaterials during prolonged exposure. Combined with additive manufacturing, this approach represents a promising route toward the development of patient-specific implants with enhanced durability and long-term functionality for bone regeneration applications.