Hydroxyapatite nucleation on Na ion implanted Ti surfaces

Na ions were implanted into pure Ti surfaces. New surface phases were shown to be incorporated into the surface: sodium titanates Na2TiO3 (in the as-implanted state) and Na2Ti6O13 (after 20 min heating at 700 °C in air). A variable level of the surface porosity and roughness was observed depending on the applied ion dose and energy. Upon exposing to simulated body fluid, such ion-implanted surfaces were revealed to enhance hydroxyapatite nucleation and growth.