Evaluation of electrochemical and bioactive performance of tailored TiO2 nanotubes for orthopaedic application

The nanostructured surfaces are assumed to perform the fundamental roles in bone regeneration process as bone by itself is having the nanometer regime with structural hierarchy. Specifically electrochemical anodization process is used to develop well aligned nanotubes on titanium surface. The factors such as anodization time, voltage, electrolyte, pH can be adjusted to attain well aligned and round opening titanium nanotube arrays (TNTA). The purpose of the current research is to investigate the influence of anodization time as a protocol. The surface morphological features of TNTA-1 h, TNTA-1.30 h and TNTA-2 h were studied using SEM and ATR-FTIR spectrum. After annealing the TNTA samples, the conversion of the samples to anatase crystalline phase was established over XRD analysis. The contact angle measurement was accomplished to understand the wettability nature of the surface. The corrosion resistance of TNTA samples was established with electrochemical impedance spectroscopic studies (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization studies. On observation, the nanotubes tailored after 2 h anodization is having the potential to resist the corrosion activity at high range. The in-vitro immersion studies were carried out in synthesised Hanks' solution for 7 days and the growth of apatite formation was assessed with SEM and ATR-FTIR characterization studies. Cell culture studies were carried out in all the samples and the appropriate cell viability and proliferation were analysed. Overall on investigation, the better performance of TNTA-2 h as an orthopaedic implant material was confirmed through corrosion studies, in-vitro and cell culture studies respectively.