Electrochemical behaviour of the nanostructured surface of Ti‐35Nb‐2Zr alloy for biomedical applications

Abstract

Titanium β‐alloys are perspective material for orthopaedic implants. Their bioactivity could be increased by surface nanostructuring. The nanotubular surface on the Ti‐35Nb‐2Zr alloy was prepared by anodic oxidation. The surfaces were characterised by electron microscopy and photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochemical behaviour was determined by impedance spectroscopy and Mott–Schottky measurement. The surface analysis indicates enrichment of the oxidic layer by niobium. Nanotubular oxide layer behaviour in phosphate‐buffered solution was compared with native passive oxides surface and with thick oxide layer. The results of impedance measurement on the nanotubes were strongly affected by oxygen in the test solution. The corrosion resistance of the nanostructure was higher than that of the native passive layer. In the terms of the corrosion behaviour, the nanostructuring seems to be a promising surface treatment for medical applications.