Formation of hydroxyapatite on low Young's modulus Ti–30Nb–1Fe–1Hf alloy via anodic oxidation and hydrothermal treatment

Hydroxyapatite (HA) on the Ti–30Nb–1Fe–1Hf alloy has been fabricated via anodic oxidation followed with the hydrothermal treatment. The anodic oxide film (AOF) containing Ca and P was formed by anodic oxidation in a solution consisting of β-glycerophosphate disodium pentahydrate(β-GP), and calcium acetate monohydrate(CA). The AOF was formed by a 2-stage growth: (1) a thin oxide film that intimately contacted the substrate formed prior to sparking; (2) after sparking, the thickness of AOF increased rapidly, accompanying with the formation of numerous craters in the AOF. When anodizing to 300 V, the AOF had a glassy amorphous structure. Increasing anodizing potential increased the Ca/P ratio and contents of Ca and P, but decreased the adhesion strength between the AOF and the substrate. After 6 h of hydrothermal treatment at 250 °C, a great number of crystalline HA precipitated on the surface of AOF anodized to 300 V. The shapes and population density of HA crystals can be controlled by modifying the anodizing potential and the solution pH of hydrothermal treatment. Increasing the pH of the solution in hydrothermal treatment enhanced the precipitation of HA crystals. Numerous needle-like HA crystals that nearly covered the surface of AOF were obtained when hydrothermally treated in the pH 13 solution.