Apatite formation on CO2 laser irradiated titanium oxide films

Biomimetic apatite-forming ability on CO2-laser-irradiated titanium oxide films was examined. Sol–gel-derived amorphous titanium oxide films were crystallized after irradiation of a continuous wave CO2 laser at the power of 5 W. The irradiation induced crystallization of anatase. The apatite-forming ability on the irradiated titanium oxide film was investigated by soaking in a solution with ion concentration 1.5 times those of simulated body fluid (1.5SBF). X-ray diffractometry showed that apatite formed on the laser-irradiated titanium oxide film within 5 days in 1.5SBF, while no apatite formed on the non-irradiated (amorphous) film. The apatite forming ability can be enhanced and given at a desired position by using the CO2 laser-irradiation.