Surface Properties and Biocompatibility of Anodized Titanium with a Potential Pretreatment for Biomedical Applications

The effects of anodized titanium (Ti) with a potential hydrogen fluoride (HF) acid pretreat- ment through cathodization on the formation of nano-porous Ti dioxide (TiO2 ) layer were character- ized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffractometer, and contact angle goniometer. The biocompatibility was determined by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. Analytical results found that a well-aligned nano-porous structure was formed on the anodized Ti surface with HF pretreatment concentration above 0.5%. Microstructure of the nano-porous Ti dioxide surface generated by anodization with HF pretreatment was composed of anatase and rutile phases, while the anodized Ti sample with HF pretreatment concentration of 0.5% presented excellent hydrophilicity surface. An in-vitro biocompatibility also indicated that osteoblast cells grown on the surface of the anodized Ti sample with HF pretreat- ment increased with the increase of culture time. The filopodia of osteoblast cells not only adhered flat, but also tightly grabbed the nano-porous structure for promoting cell adhesion and prolifera- tion. Therefore, the anodized Ti with HF pretreatment can form a functionalized surface with great biocompatibility for biomedical applications, particularly for dental implants.