Electrochemical Co‐Deposition of Phosphonate‐Modified Carbon Nanotubes and Tantalum on Nitinol

• Published in: ChemElectroChem Vol. 1; no. 5; pp. 896 - 902
• Main Authors: Maho, Anthony, Detriche, Simon, Fonder, Grégory, Delhalle, Joseph, Mekhalif, Zineb
• Format: Journal Article Web Resource
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY‐VCH Verlag 13.05.2014; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; WILEY-VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Bones; Carbon nanotubes; Chemistry; Chimie; electrochemistry; Intermetallics; Nanotubes; Nickel titanides; nitinol; phosphonate; Phosphonates; Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences; Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre; Shape memory alloys; Surgical implants; Tantalum
• ISSN: 2196-0216; 2196-0216
• DOI: 10.1002/celc.201300197

Nitinol substrates are coated with thin surface films made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and tantalum (Ta), with the aim of fostering their osseointegration aptitudes. Exceptional mechanical and chemical characteristics of CNTs combined with the resistance to corrosion and strong bioactive properties of tantalum allow for the generation of adherent, protective and functional layers on metallic biomaterial platforms. The composite coatings are elaborated on Nitinol through a two‐step electrochemical protocol; firstly, through the electrophoretic deposition of phosphonate‐modified CNTs and, secondly, with electrodeposition of Ta. As a preliminary step, phosphonate groups, acting, in addition, as specific Ta‐capture entities, are introduced on the CNT sidewalls by means of diazonium derivatives, which imply no hard oxidative treatment. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as scanning and transmission electronic microscopies are used to analyse the chemical composition, structure and morphology of the different layers. Bone idle: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) modified with phosphonate functions are electrophoretically deposited (EPD) on Nitinol (NiTi) plates. They are further coated with a thin tantalum electrodeposit (see picture). Such adherent and functional surface layers are expected to reinforce mechanical and biochemical interactions with the human body within the framework of osseous implant integration and bone regeneration.