Calcium silicate ceramic coatings on the plasma electrolytic oxidized Ti-6Al-4V alloy using spin coating method

In this study, calcium silicate ceramic coatings on the plasma electrolytic oxidized Ti-6Al-4V alloy using the sol-gel method was researched by performing surface characterization, phase analysis, surface roughness, wettability, scratch test, hardness, and in vitro tests. For this research, the Ti-6Al-4V alloy surfaces underwent PEO treatment utilizing a pulsed DC power supply. Later, wollastonite sol, a critical component in this research, was formulated and coated on the PEO-treated specimens. Morphology of PEO coating on Ti alloy showed volcanic-like porous eruptions, while increased wollastonite-coated samples showed wollastonite grain formation and nanostructure formation. PEOW3 surface presented anatase, wollastonite, and Ti phases from XRD analysis, while after the in vitro test, displayed higher HA formation. Also, the PEOW3 surface offered adequate roughness (0.207 ± 0.034 μm), improved wettability (8.70 ± 3.19°), enhanced surface energy (71.9 mJ/m2), and comparable mechanical properties akin to that of cortical bone. Furthermore, the in vitro test showed increased apatite formation over the PEOW3 specimen's surface, indicating that increased wollastonite coating can be considered advantageous for enhanced bioactivity of dental implants and improved clinical outcomes.