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    Novel low modulus beta-type Ti–Nb alloys by gallium and copper minor additions for antibacterial implant applications
    (Rio de Janeiro : Elsevier, 2022) Alberta, Ludovico Andrea; Vishnu, Jithin; Hariharan, Avinash; Pilz, Stefan; Gebert, Annett; Calin, Mariana
    This study aims to develop novel low-modulus, corrosion-resistant Ti-based alloys with enhanced antimicrobial properties for bone-related implant applications. Novel β-type (Ti–45Nb)-based alloys with minor additions of the antibacterial elements Ga and/or Cu (up to 4 wt.%) were produced by a two-step casting process followed by homogenization treatment. Three nominal compositions (Ti–45Nb)96-4 Ga, (Ti–45Nb)96–4Cu and (Ti–45Nb)96-2 Ga–2Cu (wt.%) were prepared based on alloy design approach using [Mo]eq and electron per atom (e/a) ratio. The influence of Ga and/or Cu addition on the phase constitution, mechanical response and corrosion characteristics in simulated body fluids (PBS, 37.5 °C) has been investigated. X-ray diffraction studies displayed a single β phase structure for all alloys, with an observed lattice contraction evidenced by the reduction of lattice parameters during Rietveld analysis. Homogenous equiaxed microstructures with grain sizes ranging from 55 μm up to 323 μm were observed for (Ti–45Nb)96-4 Ga, (Ti–45Nb)96-2 Ga–2Cu and (Ti–45Nb)96–4Cu alloys. The alloys displayed excellent plasticity with no cracking, or fracturing during compression tests. Their tensile strength, Young's modulus, maximum tensile strain and elastic energy were measured in the ranges of 544–681 MPa, 73–78 GPa, 17–28% and 2.5–3.7 MJ/m3, in the order (Ti–45Nb)96-4 Ga > (Ti–45Nb)96-2 Ga–2Cu > (Ti–45Nb)96–4Cu. In addition, it has been observed that micro-alloying Ti–Nb alloy with Ga and/or Cu posed no deleterious effect on the corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid conditions. The improvement in strength of the developed alloys has been discussed based on grain boundary and solid-solution strengthening, whereas the improved plasticity is attributed to work hardening.
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    Functionalization of Ti-40Nb implant material with strontium by reactive sputtering
    (London : BioMed Central, 2017-10-10) Göttlicher, Markus; Rohnke, Marcus; Moryson, Yannik; Thomas, Jürgen; Sann, Joachim; Lode, Anja; Schumacher, Matthias; Schmidt, Romy; Pilz, Stefan; Gebert, Annett; Gemming, Thomas; Janek, Jürgen
    Background: Surface functionalization of orthopedic implants with pharmaceutically active agents is a modern approach to enhance osseointegration in systemically altered bone. A local release of strontium, a verified bone building therapeutic agent, at the fracture site would diminish side effects, which could occur otherwise by oral administration. Strontium surface functionalization of specially designed titanium-niobium (Ti-40Nb) implant alloy would provide an advanced implant system that is mechanically adapted to altered bone with the ability to stimulate bone formation. Methods: Strontium-containing coatings were prepared by reactive sputtering of strontium chloride (SrCl2) in a self-constructed capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) plasma reactor. Film morphology, structure and composition were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) was used for the investigation of thickness and growth direction of the product layer. TEM lamellae were prepared using the focused ion beam (FIB) technique. Bioactivity of the surface coatings was tested by cultivation of primary human osteoblasts and subsequent analysis of cell morphology, viability, proliferation and differentiation. The results are correlated with the amount of strontium that is released from the coating in biomedical buffer solution, quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: Dense coatings, consisting of SrOxCly, of more than 100 nm thickness and columnar structure, were prepared. TEM images of cross sections clearly show an incoherent but well-structured interface between coating and substrate without any cracks. Sr2+ is released from the SrOxCly coating into physiological solution as proven by ICP-MS analysis. Cell culture studies showed excellent biocompatibility of the functionalized alloy. Conclusions: Ti-40Nb alloy, a potential orthopedic implant material for osteoporosis patients, could be successfully plasma coated with a dense SrOxCly film. The material performed well in in vitro tests. Nevertheless, the Sr2+ release must be optimized in future work to meet the requirements of an effective drug delivery system.