Nanoporous SiO2/TiO2 composite coating for orthopedic application

Nanotopographic modification is one of the effective strategies to improve the bioactivity of implant materials. In this study, a porous SiO2/TiO2 composite coating was fabricated by atmospheric plasma spraying technology followed by carving in hydrogen fluoride and ultrasonic condition. The pores on the surface of the treated SiO2/TiO2 coating are interconnected networks and the pore size is lower than 50 nm. The surface chemical composition of the SiO2/TiO2 coating before and after carving has no obvious changes. Compared to the as-sprayed SiO2/TiO2 coating, the porous SiO2/TiO2 coating exhibits enhanced osteoblast adhesion and promoted cell proliferation. Our results suggest that the formation of nanopores on the SiO2/TiO2 coating can enhance the biological performance, suggesting its potential use in orthopedic applications.