Fabrication of multilevel porous structure networks on Nb-Ta-Ti alloy scaffolds and the effects of surface characteristics on behaviors of MC3T3-E1 cells

Abstract Porous Nb-25Ta-25Ti alloys (60% porosity and 100–600 μm pore size) for bone implant applications were manufactured combining impregnation and sintering methods. Surfaces with porous micro-nanostructured networks on Nb-Ta-Ti alloys were successfully modified by various surface pre-treatments (acid etching, alkali-heat treatment and annealing treatment). Surface characteristics and Ca-P layer deposition behaviors of the multilevel structured porous Nb-Ta-Ti alloys were investigated by conducting various tests, including x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray, atomic force microscopy and optical contact angle measurement. In particular, bulk Nb-Ta-Ti alloys were also used as mutual control. The results demonstrated that the porous alloy exhibited a unique multilevel porous structure with macro-networks and micro-pits after pre-treatments. The surface passive TiO 2 /Nb 2 O 5 /Ta 2 O 5 layers on Nb-Ta-Ti alloys were partially dissolved by the corrosive attack of hydroxyl ions during alkali heat treatment. In addition, subsequent annealing treatment increased the density of the gel layers formed during alkali heat treatment. After immersion in SBF for 14 d, a continuous relatively uniform apatite layer was formed on the multilevel structured surfaces. Moreover, the mechanism of surface mineralization can be construed as electrostatic interactions between substrates and ions. Furthermore, in vitro cell culture showed that Nb-Ta-Ti alloys had a good biocompatibility and the multilevel porous structure could enhance the cellular behaviors including: cell adhesion and spreading.