Synthesis and assessment of metallic ion migration through a novel calcium carbonate coating for biomedical implants.

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) implants are commonly regarded as well accepted by the body. However, metal ion release is still a cause for concern. A small decrease in pH, which can be caused by inflammation, may produce a large increase in the corrosion rate of Ti implants. Coating the alloy with a buffer layer could have a significant protective effect. In this study, a calcium carbonate coating was developed on commercially pure Ti and a Ti-6Al-4V alloy through a hydrothermal treatment of previously NaOH-treated surfaces in calcium-citric acid chelate complexes. The results showed that a superstructured calcite coating layer formed on the Ti substrate after treatment at 170°C for 3 hr. The coating was approx. 1 μm thick and covered the substrate surface uniformly. When prolonging the hydrothermal treatment from 5 hr to 24 hr, the rhombohedral structure of calcite was observed in addition to the superstructure of calcite. Dissolution test results showed no significant differences in solution pH between the coated- and un-coated samples. However, the CaCO₃ coating reduced by approx. 2-5 times the Ti and V ion release from the substrate as compared to the uncoated material, at pH 4. CaCO₃ and hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings gave nonsignificant effects at neutral pH although the HA coating showed a trend for better results at the longer time points. The reduction in metal ion release from the substrate and the buffering ability of the CaCO₃ coating encourage further studies on this coating for clinical applications.