Osteoblast growth on the surface of porous Zn-containing HA/TiO2 hybrid coatings on Ti substrate by MAO plus sol–gel methods

To improve the osseointegration properties for the hydroxyapatite coated titanium substrate, Zn containing hydroxyapatite titania (ZnHA/TiO2) hybrid coatings were prepared on titanium via sol–gel method after micro-arc oxidation which produced a porous titania coating on titanium. The released concentration of Zn2 + was measured by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer. In vitro co-culture assays were performed to evaluate the morphology, attachment and bone-associated transcription factor gene expression of MG-63 cells on the porous surfaces. The cell micro morphologies on the ZnHA/TiO2 coatings were more polygonal compared with that on HA/TiO2 coatings (round) by SEM. It was confirmed by the confocal laser scanning microscopy observations that the MG-63 cells on the hybrid coating layer were adhered favorably. The expression of transcription factor genes of core binding fatorα1 and osterix improved on the ZnHA/TiO2 coatings. The results suggested that the ZnHA/TiO2 hybrid coatings on titanium implants possess good bioactivity.

► ZnHA/TiO2 coatings were prepared via micro-arc oxidation and sol–gel methods.
► ZnHA/TiO2 coating promoted growth, spread and attachment of osteoblasts.
► ZnHA/TiO2 coating promoted the gene expression of cbfα1 and osterix.