Improvement in the contact between TiAlV and organic tissue through TiO_xC_y organometallic multilayer coatings for improving osseointegration

Titanium alloys like TiAlV are biocompatible materials widely used in dental implants [1]. Hydrophilic surfaces enhance adhesion between the implant screw and tissue, promoting osseointegration and improving success rates through optimized chemical properties [2].

A novel multilayer coating approach is developed to avoid early implant failure by optimizing surface properties. This research focuses on creating innovative TiO_xC_y organometallic multilayer coatings on Ti₉₀Al₆V₄ substrates to improve osseointegration. These coatings are prepared using Plasma-Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), varying deposition parameters such as reactive gas flow, power, and time to modify the chemical composition, hydrophilicity, and layer thickness.

Comprehensive characterization of the surface is conducted using X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to determine the chemical environment, and using the contact angle to evaluate wettability. To further understand the chemical composition within each layer, XPS depth profiling analyses are performed.

The preliminary results revealed that a multilayer designed with a decreasing reactive gas flow exhibits a gradient in its composition. Near the substrate, the layers display a mineral-like, low-carbon structure, transitioning to an organic-like, high-carbon composition (with a carbon percentage 3 times higher) at the outermost surface. This outer layer, engineered to interact with organic tissue, has a higher hydrophilic surface, resulting in superior osseointegration.

This innovative multilayer design not only represents a significant advancement in dental implant technology but also sets a precedent for the development of functional coatings for biomedical applications.

References

[1] Marin, E., & Lanzutti, A. (2023). Biomedical applications of titanium alloys: a comprehensive review. Materials, 17(1), 114.

[2] Gittens, R. A., Scheideler, L., Rupp, F., Hyzy, S. L., Geis-Gerstorfer, J., Schwartz, Z., & Boyan, B. D. (2014). A review on the wettability of dental implant surfaces II: Biological and clinical aspects. Acta biomaterialia, 10(7), 2907-2918.