Overview

The main objective of phase II was the development and optimization of the nanostructured surface uncoated and coated with hydroxyapatite-based layers undoped (HAp, H) and doped with Mg (H-Mg) or Zn (H-Zn) in different amounts in order to obtain materials with enhanced and tunable characteristics in terms of bioactivity, biodegradation, biocompatibility and bactericidal effect.  All surface modification were carried out by applying electrochemical means, namely anodic oxidation for the development of the nanostructured surface (NT-TiO2), while the HAp based coatings were obtained by using the pulsed galvanostatic technique.

The results obtained in phase II, showed in terms of the nanostructured surface, it was noted that the inner diameter of the TiO2 NT can be adjusted by modifying the anodization time. Thus, the smallest inner diameter of approx. 70 nm was obtained when the anodization process was set to 30 min., compared a time of 120 min which has led to an inner diameter of 120 nm. Regarding the HAp coatings electrochemically deposited on the nanostructured surface, it was highlighted that smaller amounts of the doping element (Mg or Zn) have a more positive influence on the behavior of the HAp based coatings, when compared to the higher ones used, indicating that a special attention must be directed towards the material design in order to obtain materials with tunable characteristics.

Papers published in ISI journals

• Published

1. Evaluation of surface modification techniques on the ability of apatite formation and corrosion behavior in synthetic body fluid: an in vitro study, C.M. Cotrut, I.C. Ionescu, E. Ungureanu, A. Berbecaru, R.I. Zamfir, A. Vladescu, D.M. Vranceanu, Surfaces and Interfaces, 2021, Vol. 22, Article Number 100866, F.I.₂₀₂₀ = 4.81 (Q1)

• Submitted

1. Effect of doping element and electrolyte’s pH on the properties of hydroxyapatite coatings obtained by pulsed galvanostatic technique, Elena Ungureanu, Diana M Vranceanu, Alina Vladescu, Anca Parau, Mihai Tarcolea and Cosmin M. Cotrut, Coatings, F.I.₂₀₂₀ = 2,881 (Q2)

2. Electrochemical surface biofunctionalization of titanium through growth of TiO2 nanotubes and deposition of Zn doped hydroxyapatite, Diana M Vranceanu, Elena Ungureanu, Ionut Cornel Ionescu, Anca Parau, Adrian Kiss, Alina Vladescu, Cosmin M. Cotrut, Coatings, F.I.₂₀₂₀ = 2,881 (Q2)

Papers presented at international conference

• Invited presentations

1. Assessment of surface modification techniques on the corrosion behavior and the ability of apatite formation of titanium, D. M. Vranceanu, I.C. Ionescu, E. Ungureanu, A. Berbecaru, G.A. Juravlea, R.I. Zamfir, A. Vladescu, C.M. Cotrut, European Materials Research Society – Spring Meeting (E-MRS 2021), 31.05. – 04.06.2021, Virtual Conference, Biomaterials and soft materials, Symposiom O - Bioinspired and biointegrated materials as new frontiers nanomaterials, Invited Presentations : The 7en minutes Report on Frontier Research.

• Posters

1. Biofunctionalization of Ti nanostructured surfaces with hydroxyapatite-based coatings intended for medical applications, D. M. Vranceanu, E. Ungureanu, I.C. Ionescu, G.A. Juravlea, A. Kiss, A. Parau, A. Vladescu, C.M. Cotrut, 3^rd Coatings and Interfaces Conference Part of the Coatings and Interfaces series 24–26 Nov 2021, virtual conference.

Patent submitted

1.” Suprafață nanostructurată și acoperită cu hidroxiapatită dopată pentru îmbunătățirea bioactivității titanului”, D.M. Vranceanu, E. Ungureanu, C.M. Cotruț, OSIM A/00714/2021.