Auger Electron Spectroscopic Analysis of Hydroxylapatite Coatings on Titanium

Abstract

Investigating the bioreactive behavior of hydroxylapatite [Ca10(PO4)6 (OH)2] coatings on titanium requires an exact knowledge of structure and composition of the coating. Auger electron spectroscopic analyses were performed in addition to other microstructural analyses. Studies of the outer surface and of the interface between hydroxylapatite and titanium showed that the energy and the signal sensitivity of the Auger phosphorus peak depend on the chemical environment. Argonion bombardment was found to affect the spectrum of the low-energy P peaks.