Abstract
The synthesis of bioinert oxide films on pure Ti surfaces by a combined chemical-hydrothermal treatment was investigated. Pure Ti substrates were chemically treated with H2O2/HNO3 to form a TiO2 gel layer. The specimens were then hydrothermally treated with Zr(OH)4 dispersed NH3/CH3CH(OH)COOH aqueous solution in an autoclave at 453 K for 12 h. As a result, ZrO2-TiO2 composite films were successfully produced on the surface, and the volume fraction of ZrO2 in the film was found to gradually increase from the substrate to the surface. The graded ZrO2-TiO2 film suppressed the deposition of hydroxyapatite on the surface during soaking in simulated body fluid.
