Solution deposition of hydroxyapatite on titanium pretreated with a sodium ion implantation

Titanium surfaces were treated by exposing them to a beam of sodium ions. Sodium titanate was shown to be incorporated within the oxidic titanium surface. The ion- implanted surfaces were examined for their reactivity by immersion in a simulated body fluid, which showed the formation of surface-bound hydroxyapatite. The surface was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and optical and electron microscopy. The surface hydroxyl concentration was determined using the nuclear reaction 1H(15N,alpha, gamma)12C. Surface-related parameters that may affect hydroxyapatite nucleation are discussed in term of the electrical double layer.