Vitroceramic coatings deposited by laser ablation on Ti-Zr substrates for implantable medical applications with improved biocompatibility

The influence of vitroceramic coatings deposited onto Ti-Zr alloy plates on the biological properties of the final biomaterials was investigated. In this regard, two vitroceramic masses, different from compositional point of view, were synthesized by a sol-gel route, being subsequently converted into ceramic targets, suitable for ablation experiments. The film depositions were conducted in oxidative atmosphere, on substrates heated at 300 or 400 °C. The coated samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy coupled with selected area diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, contact angle measurements and in vitro biological analyses (MTT cell proliferation assay, GSH oxidative stress assay, optical and fluorescence microscopy). All results sustained the applicative potential of Ti-Zr alloy substrates covered with a thin vitroceramic layer for medical implant applications.