Surface characteristics and in vitro biocompatibility of a manganese-containing titanium oxide surface

► Nanostructured manganese (Mn)-containing thin Ti oxide film (Mn2O3) on pure titanium was produced by hydrothermal treatment. ► Mn-incorporated Ti oxide layer released Mn ions from the surface into the solution. ► Mn2O3 coating decreased cellular attachment, spreading, proliferation, alkaline phosphatase activity, and osteoblast phenotype gene expression compared with bare titanium surface. ► This is the first demonstration that Mn ion in Ti oxide layer does not exert any beneficial effects on osteoblastic cell response, it rather impaired cell function.