Modified Titanium Surface with Nano Amorphous Calcium Phosphate@Chitosan Oligolactate as Ion Loading Platform with Multifunctional Properties for Potential Biomedical Application.

Titanium (Ti) is widely used in medical and dental implants. Calcium phosphate (CPs) coatings enhance Ti implants' osteoinductive properties, and additives further improve these coatings. Recently, a nano amorphous calcium phosphate (nACP) coating decorated with chitosan oligolactate (ChOL) and selenium (Se) showed immunomodulatory effects. This study investigates the surface morphology, composition, bioactivity, mechanical properties, and Se-release mechanism of the nACP@ChOL-Se hybrid coating on Ti substrates. Amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) was synthesized, and the nACP@ChOL-Se hybrid coating was deposited on Ti substrates using in situ anaphoretic deposition. Physico-chemical characterization was used to analyze the surface of the coating (scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). The distribution of Se within the coating was examined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Bioactivity was evaluated in simulated body fluid (SBF), and adhesion was tested using a scratch test method. In vitro testing determined the release mechanism of Se. SEM images illustrated the surface morphology, while AFM provided a detailed analysis of surface roughness. XRD analysis revealed structural and phase composition, and EDS confirmed Se distribution within the coating. The coating exhibited bioactivity in SBF and showed good adhesion according to the scratch test. In vitro testing uncovered the release mechanism of Se from the coating. This study successfully characterized the surface morphology, composition, bioactivity, and Se-release mechanism of the nACP@ChOL-Se hybrid coating on Ti substrates, offering insights for developing immunomodulatory coatings for medical and dental applications.

The Effect of Heat Treatment on Damping Capacity and Mechanical Properties of CuAlNi Shape Memory Alloy.

This paper discusses the effect of different heat treatment procedures on the microstructural characteristics, damping capacities, and mechanical properties of CuAlNi shape memory alloys (SMA). The investigation was performed on samples in the as-cast state and heat treated states (solution annealing at 885 °C/60'/H2O and after tempering at 300 °C/60'/H2O). The microstructure of the samples was examined by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with a device for energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) analysis. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed martensitic microstructure in all investigated samples. However, the changes in microstructure due to heat treatment by the presence of two types of martensite phases (ß1' and γ1') influenced alloy damping and mechanical properties by enhancing alloy damping characteristics. Heat treatment procedure reduced the alloys' mechanical properties and increased hardness of the alloy. Fractographic analysis of the alloy showed a transgranular type of fracture in samples after casting. After solution annealing, two types of fracture mechanisms can be noticed, transgranular and intergranular, while in tempered samples, mostly an intergranular type of fracture exists.

Electrochemical Behaviour of Ti and Ti-6Al-4V Alloy in Phosphate Buffered Saline Solution.

The electrochemical behavior of commercially pure titanium (CP Ti) and Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) alloy in phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, pH = 7.4) at 37 °C (i.e., in simulated physiological solution in the human body) was examined using open circuit potential measurements, linear and potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. After the impedance measurements and after potentiodynamic polarization measurements, the surface of the samples was investigated by scanning electron microscopy, while the elemental composition of oxide film on the surface of each sample was determined by EDS analysis. The electrochemical and corrosion behavior of CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloys is due to forming a two-layer model of surface oxide film, consisting of a thin barrier-type inner layer and a porous outer layer. The inner barrier layer mainly prevents corrosion of CP Ti and Ti-6Al-4V alloy, whose thickness and resistance increase sharply in the first few days of exposure to PBS solution. With longer exposure times to the PBS solution, the structure of the barrier layer subsequently settles, and its resistance increases further. Compared to Ti-6Al-4V alloy, CP Ti shows greater corrosion stability.