Effect of Autoclave and Hot Water Treatment on Surface Structure and Apatite-Forming Ability of NaOH- and Heat-Treated Titanium Metals in Simulated Body Fluid

Abstract

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)-, heat- and autoclave-treated Ti metal did not form apatite in simulated body fluid (SBF) within 7 days although certain amounts of sodium (Na) still remained on the Ti metal surface even after the autoclave treatment. When hot water treatment was applied between NaOH and heat treatment, the Ti metal formed apatite within 7 days in SBF. Anatase-type TiO2 was partially precipitated by the NaOH and heat treatment but it was disappeared by the subsequent autoclave treatment. When the hot water treatment was applied between the NaOH and heat treatment, considerable amount of anatase-type TiO2 was formed and it still remained even after the autoclave treatment. The zeta potential of the Ti metal with the hot water treatment was almost zero in SBF. These results indicate that Ti metal can show apatite-forming ability in SBF even after autoclave treatment, when hot water treatment is applied between the NaOH and heat treatment, and that anatase-type TiO2 might play an important role in the apatite formation rather than the amount of Na and/or the zeta potential.