Preparation and characterization of Na and F co-doped hydroxyapatite coating reinforced by carbon nanotubes and SiC nanoparticles

Carbon nanotubes and SiC nanoparticles reinforced Na and F co-doped hydroxyapatite coating (CS-NFH) was fabricated by electrochemical deposition method. The morphology, microstructure, shear strength, wettability and in-vitro bioactivity of CS-NFH coating were analyzed. Homogeneous and crackfree CS-NFH coatings composed of spherical particles were achieved. The shear strength for CS-NFH was 9.04 MPa, which was more than twice the value of that for pure hydroxyapatite coating. Wettability test showed CS-NFH coating had super-hydrophilicity surface with water contact angle of 0°. The in-vitro bioactivity test showed that the coating could induce the formation of new apatite in simulated body fluid. CS-NFH may have potential application as coating materials in orthopaedic applications.