Incorporation of zirconium into PEO coating on Ti6Al4V alloy from acidic electrolyte

Abstract

<abstract> <p>To imitate the superior biocompatibility of Ti–Zr alloys at reduced cost, conventional Ti6Al4V alloy was modified via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). The influence of different additives on the phase composition and topography was investigated in acidic electrolytes containing Zr(SO₄)₂·H₂O with potentiostatically controlled PEO at different pulse frequencies. Apart from the primary intention to generate Zr enriched phases, formation and incorporation in the ceramic layer of potential antibacterial Cu and Zn species was achieved and examined by X-ray diffraction. The thickness of the oxide layer, the adhesion and the layers' composition were evaluated using FIB and SEM-EDX.</p> </abstract>