MG-63 and FetMSC Cell Response on Atomic Layer Deposited TiO2 Nanolayers Prepared Using Titanium Tetrachloride and Tetraisopropoxide

Titanium oxide nanocoatings were synthesized on the surface of monocrystalline silicon and ultra-fine-grained titanium by atomic layer deposition (ALD) using titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4) and titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP). The morphology of the samples was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The structure and composition were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurements, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The cytological response of osteosarcoma MG-63 and human fetal mesenchymal stem cells (FetMSCs) were studied by analyzing their morphology, viability, and alkaline phosphatase activity with and without the use of medium-induced differentiation in the osteogenic direction. A significant influence of the precursor type and ALD temperature on the crystal structure, morphology, composition, and surface free energy of TiO2 nanocoatings was found. The biocompatibility of amorphous non-stoichiometric and partially crystalline stoichiometric TiO2 coatings was compared. Both types of cells showed faster adhesion and improved spreading on the surface for the samples from TTIP compared to those from TiCl4 at the early stages of cultivation (2 h) due to the difference in composition and higher surface free energy. No cytotoxic effect was found on both types of coatings, nor was there a noticeable difference in cell differentiation. All ALD coatings provided excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties.