Production of “Tricalcium Phosphate/Titanium Dioxide” Coating Surface on Titanium Substrates

A new method for the production of the coating surface consisting of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on titanium (Ti) substrates by using electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method has been developed. Crack occurrence on coating surface and hydroxyapatite (HA) decomposition into TCP, which are commonly encountered in EPD method, were used as an advantage in this study. HA nano-powders synthesized by acid-base method were used as the coating material. They were deposited on Ti substrates with different voltages and durations. Cracks on the deposited surface were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Samples were sintered in air atmosphere to allow TiO2 growth from the Ti substrate to fill the cracks. SEM observation and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis proved the occurrence of complete decomposition of HA into TCP, TiO2 growth between cracks, and coalescence of TCP/TiO2 on coating surface. This type of coating surface is expected to increase the coating strength because of TiO2 growth in the cracks and its coalescence with TCP.