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. 2017 Dec 27;11(1):26.
doi: 10.3390/ma11010026.

Electrochemical Corrosion and In Vitro Bioactivity of Nano-Grained Biomedical Ti-20Nb-13Zr Alloy in a Simulated Body Fluid

Mohamed A Hussein  1 , Madhan Kumar  2 , Robin Drew  3 , Nasser Al-Aqeeli  4
Affiliations

Electrochemical Corrosion and In Vitro Bioactivity of Nano-Grained Biomedical Ti-20Nb-13Zr Alloy in a Simulated Body Fluid

Mohamed A Hussein et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The bioactivity and the corrosion protection for a novel nano-grained Ti-20Nb-13Zr at % alloy were examined in a simulated body fluid (SBF). The effect of the SPS's temperature on the corrosion performance was investigated. The phases and microstructural details of the developed alloy were analyzed by XRD (X-ray Diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscope). The electrochemical study was investigated using linear potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a SBF, and the bioactivity was examined by immersing the developed alloy in a SBF for 3, 7, and 14 days. The morphology of the depositions after immersion was examined using SEM. Alloy surface analysis after immersion in the SBF was characterized by XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy). The results of the bioactivity test in SBF revealed the growth of a hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of the alloy. The analysis of XPS showed the formation of protective oxides of TiO₂, Ti₂O₃, ZrO₂, Nb₂O₅, and a Ca₃(PO₄)₂ compound (precursor of hydroxyapatite) deposited on the alloy surface, indicating that the presented alloy can stimulate bone formation. The corrosion resistance increased by increasing the sintering temperature and the highest corrosion resistance was obtained at 1200 °C. The improved corrosion protection was found to be related to the alloy densification. The bioactivity and the corrosion resistance of the developed nanostructured alloy in a SBF renders the nanostructured Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloy a promising candidate as an implant material.

Keywords: Ti-Nb-Zr alloy; bioactivity permanent; biomaterial; electrochemical testing; polarization.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
XRD patterns of Ti-20Nb-13Zr: (a) as-received powder mixture; (b) Blended elemental powder milled for 10 h; and (c) subjected to SPS at 1200 °C.
Figure 2
Figure 2
FESEM micrographs of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloy sintered at 1200 °C. (a) Secondary electron (SE); (b) Backscattered electron (BSE).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Bright-field TEM image for the alloy sintered at 1200 °C.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Surface morphology of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloy after immersion in the simulated body fluid (SBF) for different time (a) 3 days; (b) 7 days; (c) 14 days; (d) 14 days at a higher magnification.
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM-EDX mapping of surface morphology of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloy after immersion in the SBF for 14 days.
Figure 6
Figure 6
EDX of the sample surface after immersion in SBF.
Figure 7
Figure 7
XPS survey spectrum of the Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloy surface after a 7-day immersion in a SBF.
Figure 8
Figure 8
XPS spectra for Ti 2p, Nb 3d, Zr 3d, and P 2p, Ca 2p, and O 1s of the TNZ alloy sample surface after immersion in SBF.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Potentiodynamic polarization curves for TNZ alloys subjected to SPS at different temperatures (temperature are in °C).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Nyquist plots of Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloys prepared at different sintering. Temperatures (°C) in a SBF.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Bode plots of Ti-20Nb-13Zr alloys prepared at different sintering temperatures in a SBF: (a) Z magnitude plots and (b) phase angle plots.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Equivalent electric circuit used to fit the experimental impedance data.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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