Microstructural characterization of plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite-10 wt% ZrO2 composite coating on titanium

Bioactive Surface Modifications through Thermally Sprayed Hydroxyapatite Composite Coatings: A Review over Selective Reinforcements

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been an excellent replacement for the natural bone in orthopedic applications, owing to its close resemblance; however, it is brittle and has low strength. Surface modification techniques...

Silicon nitride enhances osteoprogenitor cell growth and differentiation via increased surface energy and formation of amide and nanocrystalline HA for craniofacial reconstruction

The bioactive silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) has been FDA cleared for use as spinal intervertebral arthrodesis devices. Because its surface properties promote bone ongrowth and ingrowth, it also has the potential to benefit craniofacial reconstruction. Thus, the aim of this work was to determine whether the surface properties of Si₃N₄ could enhance the osteoblast cell growth, differentiation and nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals compared to conventional implant materials such as titanium (Ti) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). X-ray absorbance near-edge structure analysis (XANES) indicated the presence of Si-Si, Si-O and Si-N bonding. Surface wettability studies confirmed that Si₃N₄ exhibits the lowest contact angle and highest surface energy. Cell culture studies showed that osteoblast growth was enhanced on Si₃N₄ after 1 day and up to 7 days. Si₃N₄ surface induced highest surface coverage and thickness of nanocrystalline HA (211) and (203) in cell-free in vitro studies after 7 days of culture. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of surface functional groups consisting of phosphate and carbonate species. Interestingly, Si₃N₄ surface showed amide and hydroxyproline groups, the precursors to collagen, which were not observed on Ti and PEEK surfaces. Furthermore, Si₃N₄ surface indicated high expression of RUNX2, enhanced cell differentiation and dense collagenous ECM after 30 days of the in vitro study. The present study concluded that Si₃N₄ surface enhances osteoprogenitor cell adhesion, growth, RUNX2 expression and ECM formation via the coupled effects of higher surface energy and the presence of amide and nanocrystalline HA functional groups.

Gene profiling of bone around orthodontic mini-implants by RNA-sequencing analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the genes that were expressed in the healing bones around SLA-treated titanium orthodontic mini-implants in a beagle at early (1-week) and late (4-week) stages with RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq). Samples from sites of surgical defects were used as controls. Total RNA was extracted from the tissue around the implants, and an RNA-Seq analysis was performed with Illumina TruSeq. In the 1-week group, genes in the gene ontology (GO) categories of cell growth and the extracellular matrix (ECM) were upregulated, while genes in the categories of the oxidation-reduction process, intermediate filaments, and structural molecule activity were downregulated. In the 4-week group, the genes upregulated included ECM binding, stem cell fate specification, and intramembranous ossification, while genes in the oxidation-reduction process category were downregulated. GO analysis revealed an upregulation of genes that were related to significant mechanisms, including those with roles in cell proliferation, the ECM, growth factors, and osteogenic-related pathways, which are associated with bone formation. From these results, implant-induced bone formation progressed considerably during the times examined in this study. The upregulation or downregulation of selected genes was confirmed with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The RNA-Seq strategy was useful for defining the biological responses to orthodontic mini-implants and identifying the specific genetic networks for targeted evaluations of successful peri-implant bone remodeling.

Characterization of a micro-roughened TiO2/ZrO2 coating: mechanical properties and HBMSC responses in vitro

Previous studies have shown that using ZrO2 as a second phase to bioceramics can significantly increase the bonding strength of plasma-sprayed composite material. In the present study, micro-roughened titanium dioxide/zirconia (TiO2/ZrO2) (30 wt% ZrO2) coating and TiO2 coating were plasma-sprayed onto Ti plates. The micro-structural characteristics and mechanical properties of both coatings were investigated. Furthermore, the biological behavior and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs) on both TiO2/ZrO2 and TiO2 coatings were compared. The results indicated that the shear bond strength and microhardness of TiO2/ZrO2 coating were statistically higher than those of TiO2 coating. Scanning electron microscope observation revealed that more irregularly shaped protuberances and denser pores were formed on the surface of TiO2/ZrO2 coating compared with those of TiO2 coating. Further comparative analysis of HBMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation on both coatings showed that significantly higher cellular alkaline phosphatase activity and expression levels of Runx2 and Osterix at day 10 after osteogenic culture were found on TiO2/ZrO2 coating compared with TiO2 coating, while no statistically significant difference in cell proliferation and extracellular calcium deposition was observed. The present study suggests that TiO2/ZrO2 coating may be favorable for dental implant applications.

Parametric appraisal of process parameters for adhesion of plasma sprayed nanostructured YSZ coatings using Taguchi experimental design

This paper presents the application of the Taguchi experimental design in developing nanostructured yittria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) coatings by plasma spraying process. This paper depicts dependence of adhesion strength of as-sprayed nanostructured YSZ coatings on various process parameters, and effect of those process parameters on performance output has been studied using Taguchi's L₁₆ orthogonal array design. Particle velocities prior to impacting the substrate, stand-off-distance, and particle temperature are found to be the most significant parameter affecting the bond strength. To achieve retention of nanostructure, molten state of nanoagglomerates (temperature and velocity) has been monitored using particle diagnostics tool. Maximum adhesion strength of 40.56 MPa has been experimentally found out by selecting optimum levels of selected factors. The enhanced bond strength of nano-YSZ coating may be attributed to higher interfacial toughness due to cracks being interrupted by adherent nanozones.

Study of laser created ZRO2 and hydroxyapatite/ZrO2 films for implantology

Thin films of ZrO2 and hydroxyapatite/ZrO2 were created by excimer laser ablation on Ti6Al4V substrates. ZrO2 layers were fabricated in vacuum by KrF laser at various substrate temperatures and hydroxyapatite (HA) layers were fabricated in water vapor ambient by ArF laser and in water vapor/argon ambient by KrF excimer laser. Film properties were evaluated by XRD, SEM and WDX methods. The test of mechanical adhesion was proceeded on ZrO2 films. XRD analysis proved the presence of amorphous or crystalline HA in the deposited films. SEM method demonstrated smooth surface covered by droplets for both HA and ZrO2 films. Ca/P ratio of the HA films is higher than that of the natural HA and is within the range of 2.8-3.0. The HA/ZrO2 and ZrO2 samples were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity. The best results were received by the HA/ZrO2 samples in the test of cytotoxicity. Fibroblasts cultivating with HA/ZrO2 samples exhibited subconfluent and confluent growth and showed fibronectin homogenously.

Plasma Sprayed Zirconia-Hydroxyapatite Composite Coatings

In order to overcome the fragility and to improve the physical stability of hydroxyapatite (HA) on the implant, 5, 10, and 15 % yttria stabilized zirconia (YTZP) was added to the starting plasma spraying HA powder Metco XPT-D-703. From the recent literature it is already known that HA coatings tend to dissolve in body fluid environment. To decrease the dissolution effect many additives like zirconia (Zr) could be added to HA powder. In this study, prepared HA composite powders were sprayed onto titanium (Ti) surfaces with a Metco plasma gun. As a control group, pure HA powder was sprayed onto other Ti samples. All samples were subjected to tensile tests according to the ASTM C-633-79. SEM images were taken using back-scattering from prepared cross-sections. X-ray diffraction images were taken from the surface. It was seen that with the increase of the Zr content, the tensile test values increased. Pure HA showed also that the addition of Zr had improved the tensile bond strenght (TBS) values.

Plasma-sprayed hydroxyapatite+titania composite bond coat for hydroxyapatite coating on titanium substrate

A two-layer hydroxyapatite (HA)/HA+TiO(2) bond coat composite coating (HTH coating) on titanium was fabricated by plasma spraying. The HA+TiO(2) bond coat (HTBC) consists of 50 vol% HA and 50 vol% TiO(2) (HT). The microstructural characterization of the HTH coatings before and after heat treatment was conducted by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalyser (EPMA), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), in comparison with that of HT coating and pure HA coating. The results revealed that HA and TiO(2) phases layered in an alternating pattern within the HTBC, and the HTBC bonded well to HA top coating (HAT coating) and Ti substrate. The as-sprayed HT coating consists mainly of crystalline HA, rutile TiO(2) and amorphous Ca-P phase. The post-spray heat treatment at 650 degrees C for 120 min effectively restores the structural integrity of HA by transforming non-HA phases into HA. It was found that there exists interdiffusion of the elements within the HTBC, but no chemical product between HA and TiO(2), such as CaTiO(3) was formed. The cross-sectional morphologies confirmed that there is a shift towards a relatively tighter bonding from the HAT coating/HTBC interface in the as-sprayed HTH coating to the HTBC/Ti substrate interface in the heat-treated HTH coating. On quenching the coatings into water, the surface cracking indicates more apparently the positive effect of the HTBC on the decrease of residual stress in HAT coating. The in situ surface cracking also suggests that the stress on the surface of the HTH coating is stable under subjection to a repetitious heat treatment. The toughening and strengthening of HTBC is thought to be mainly due to TiO(2) as obstacles embarrassing cracking, the reduction of the near-tip stresses resulting from stress-induced microcracking and the decrease of CTE mismatch. In the HTH composite coating, the HAT coating is toughened by the decreased CTE mismatch with Ti through the addition of HTBC, which bonds well to the Ti substrate via its TiO(2) hobnobbing with the Ti oxides formed on Ti substrate.