Preparation of anatase surface layers via carbon implantation into titanium

• Preparation of anatase surface layers on titanium.
• Use of a plasma process.
• Implantation of carbon leads to amorphization and TiC formation.
• Replacement of carbon by oxygen in subsequent heating.

The conversion of the surface layer of a titanium containing sample into anatase has been tried many times by oxygen implantation and simultaneous or subsequent heating. The result, however, was in most cases the titanium dioxide modification rutile or, especially for titanium alloys, a mixture of anatase and rutile. Here a method is presented to manufacture a titanium dioxide surface layer with an initial implantation of carbon into the surface. A subsequent heating in air removes most of the carbon and replaces it with oxygen, thus generating the anatase modification.