Formation of high bioactive nanoporous titania film by hybrid surface mechanical attrition treatment

Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) was used to induce grain refinement on the surface of the commercially pure Titanium (Ti). Pure nanocrystalline anatase thin film with nano pores was deposited on pre-SMATed Ti substrate via chemical oxidation by simply soaking in a mix solution of 8.8 mol/l H2O2 and 0.1 mol/l HCl at 80 °C for 30 min followed by heat treatment at 400 °C for 1 h in air. The nanoporous anatase showed excellent bioactivity while being soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF), which could be mainly attributed to the unique nanostructure on the SMATed Ti surface. Mechanism of the formation of nanoporous titania was also discussed.

Research highlights
► Grain refinement was induced on commercially pure titanium surface by using SMAT.
► Titania layers were prepared by simple soaking in H2O2 solution at 80 °C for 30 min.
► Nanostructured anatase with nano pores was formed on pre-SMATed sample.
► The nanoporous anatase showed excellent bioactivity while being soaked in SBF.