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Surface characterization and biocompatibility of titanium alloys implanted with nitrogen by Hardion+ technology

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Abstract

In this study, the new Hardion+ micro-implanter technology was used to modify surface properties of biomedical pure titanium (CP-Ti) and Ti–6Al–4V ELI alloy by implantation of nitrogen ions. This process is based on the use of an electron cyclotron resonance ion source to produce a multienergetic ion beam from multicharged ions. After implantation, surface analysis methods revealed the formation of titanium nitride (TiN) on the substrate surfaces. An increase in superficial hardness and a significant reduction of friction coefficient were observed for both materials when compared to non-implanted samples. Better corrosion resistance and a significant decrease in ion release rates were observed for N-implanted biomaterials due to the formation of the protective TiN layer on their surfaces. In vitro tests performed on human fetal osteoblasts indicated that the cytocompatibility of N-implanted CP-Ti and Ti–6Al–4V alloy was enhanced in comparison to that of the corresponding non treated samples. Consequently, Hardion+ implantation technique can provide titanium alloys with better qualities in terms of corrosion resistance, cell proliferation, adhesion and viability.

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Acknowledgements

This research was funded in the frame of a Eurêka/MNT ERA-Net European consortium, Project “NanoBioAll” Advanced Metallic Biomaterials, Nano-Structured, for Implantable Medical Devices. Authors are thankful to Bianca Galateanu (University of Bucharest) for expert microscopy image analysis and Dr. Simona Popescu (Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, University Politehnica of Bucharest) for kind help in measuring the water contact angle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INSA Rennes, UMR CNRS 6226 Sciences Chimiques de Rennes/Chimie Métallurgie, 20 Avenue des Buttes de Coësmes, 35043, Rennes Cedex, France

    D. M. Gordin & T. Gloriant

  2. Quertech Ingénierie, 9 Rue de la Girafe, 14000, Caen, France

    V. Chane-Pane & D. Busardo

  3. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bucharest, Spl. Independentei 91-95, 050095, Bucharest, Romania

    V. Mitran & A. Cimpean

  4. Institute of Materials Research, Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht-Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502, Geesthacht, Germany

    D. Höche

  5. Romanian Academy, Institute of Physical Chemistry “Ilie Murgulescu”, Spl. Independentei 202, 060021, Bucharest, Romania

    C. Vasilescu & S. I. Drob

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  1. D. M. Gordin
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  2. T. Gloriant
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Correspondence to A. Cimpean.

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Gordin, D.M., Gloriant, T., Chane-Pane, V. et al. Surface characterization and biocompatibility of titanium alloys implanted with nitrogen by Hardion+ technology. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23, 2953–2966 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4750-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4750-z

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