In-vitro calcium phosphate formation on electrostatic sprayed – perovskite BaTiO3 layer on Ti implant after poling treatment

Ferroelectric BaTiO3 thin films were coated on titanium implants using an electrostatic spraying deposition method to combine the biocompatibility of a ceramic with the high mechanical strength of a metal. As-deposited films were annealed at 850 °C for 30 min in argon. Crystallinity, chemical structure, and surface morphology of the films were analyzed. Perovskite-type tetragonal BaTiO3 films were obtained after post-annealing. Their ability to form calcium phosphate after poling treatments at above the Curie temperature was investigated with an in-vitro test in a simulated body fluid. Un-poled BaTiO3 layer on titanium implant was partially covered with Na, Cl, and relatively small amounts of P and O ions, while the poled BaTiO3 layer was wholly covered with calcium phosphate.