Characterisation and corrosion resistance of the electrodeposited hydroxyapatite and bovine serum albumin/hydroxyapatite films on Ti–6Al–4V–1Zr alloy surface

A new titanium base Ti–6Al–4V–1Zr alloy covered with hydroxyapatite or bovine serum albumin/hydroxyapatite was characterized in this paper in order to be used as implant material. Following techniques were used: linear polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. For HA or BSA/HA covered alloy, the electric equivalent circuit contains two time constants (for the passive film and for coatings). The resistance of the protective films increased in time and BSA/HA coating was slightly rougher than HA coating, this situation being favourably to the cell adhesion.

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► EIS spectra for Ti6Al4V1Zr alloy were fitted with one time constant electric equivalent circuit.
► For covered alloy the equivalent circuit contains two time constants.
► Resistances of films increased in time revealing the improvement of the alloy protection capacity.
► Surface roughness significantly increased by apatite formation, being favourably to cell adhesion.