SURFACE MODIFICATION OF COMMERCIALLY PURE TITANIUM BY GOLD-ION IRRADIATION FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

This research work’s aim was to enhance the biocompatibility of the commercially pure titanium (cpTi-2) surface via Au-ion irradiation. Various ion dosages, i.e. [Formula: see text] (Au-11), [Formula: see text] (Au-12) and [Formula: see text] (Au-13) ions[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]cm[Formula: see text], were produced by exposing the polished cpTi-2 samples to Au-ion beam at room temperature. The surface topographic features of cpTi-2 and the effects of Au-ion-implanted surfaces were examined by atomic force microscopy and XRD analysis. Open-Circuit Potential (OCP), Potentiodynamic Polarization Scans (PPS) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) were used to compare the electrochemical behavior of the cpTi-2 and Au-ion-implanted samples in Ringer’s lactate (RL) solution at 37∘C. The effects of Au-ion irradiation on the proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were estimated during 24[Formula: see text]h and 48[Formula: see text]h of exposure. Based on the experimental results, Au-12 samples presented more positive OCP and lower corrosion rate in RL solution than the Au-11 and Au-13 samples. No significant change in the morphology of the MSCs was observed after exposure to the Au-ion-implanted samples. Similar to the controlled medium, the percentage of viability of the cells of the cells on Au-12 increased from 75% to 165% on the surface of Au-13 samples during 48[Formula: see text]h of incubation indicating the positive effects of Au-ion irradiation for biocompatibility.