Innovation in Biomaterials: Nanostructured TiO2 Coatings for Biomedical Applications by Thermal Spray

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NRC's Industrial Materials Institute and Nanyang Technology University (NTU) have developed a leading-edge technology of nanostructured TiO₂ coatings that exhibit good biocompatibility and high mechanical performance and stability. The NRC-NTU proprietary technology is now available for licensing with the goal of actively developing, commercializing and marketing this next-generation coating.

Overview

Titania (TiO₂) is a material that is non-toxic for and non-absorbable by the human body. When deposited via the thermal spray process with proper operating conditions to induce a nanostructured surface, it yields coatings having superior mechanical properties when compared to current hydroxyapatite (HA) thermal spray coatings and excellent biocompatibility as proven by osteoblast cell growth. Because of the nanoparticles embedded in their structures, the resulting TiO₂ coatings are seen as a new generation of coatings for enhancing the performance of implanted biomedical devices.

Microstructure of the NRC-NTU nanostructured TiO₂ coating: a) Low magnification view and b) high magnification view showing a semi-molten nanostructured particle embedded in the coating structure.

Potential Benefits

• Improved coating performance - Higher structural/bio-chemical stability of the coating material making it well suited for long-lasting biomedical implanted devices
• Biocompatibility - Excellent osteoblast growth and proliferation
• Easy process implementation – NRC-NTU nanostructured TiO₂ coatings are produced by standard HVOF thermal spraying processes of TiO₂ feedstocks on any biomedical substrate

Key Features

Improved mechanical performance

• Semi-molten nanostructured TiO₂ particles spread throughout the coating microstructure act as crack arresters, thereby improving the crack resistance of the coating
• Bond strength (ASTM C633) and Vickers hardness respectively 2.5 and 3 times higher than that reported for HA coatings.

a) Vickers crack propagation (b) being arrested after passing through a nanostructured semi-molten TiO₂ particle embedded in the coating microstructure.

Enhanced cell proliferation and growth

• Biocompatibility - Preliminary analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and alkaline phosphatase activity demonstrated that the NRCNTU nanostructured TiO₂ coatings exhibit osteoblast cell proliferation and growth levels similar or superior to that of HA thermal spray coatings

Osteoblast cells cultured during 7 days on the surface of the HVOF-sprayed nanostructured TiO₂ coating. The osteoblast cells completely covered the coating surface.

Osteoblast cells cultured during 7 days on the surface of an air plasma sprayed HA coating. The osteoblast cells partially covered the coating surface.

Business Opportunities

Licensing opportunities are available for companies interested in the implementation of a production process or the development of uses of the NRCNTU nanostructured TiO₂ coatings for biomedical applications. NRC is seeking partners interested in technology transfer. Contact us to find out more about these opportunities.

Jean-Gabriel Legoux, Ph.D. Group Leader, Surface Technologies Tel.: (450) 641-5194 Fax: (450) 641-5105 E-mail: Jean-Gabriel.Legoux@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca
Alexandre Paris Business Development Officer Tel.: (450) 641-7524 Fax: (450) 641-5105 E-mail: Alexandre.Paris@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca

Related Information

Institutes:

• NRC Industrial Materials Institute