Electrochemical stability of TiO2 nanotubes with different diameters in artificial saliva

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 206; no. 1; pp. 63 - 67
• Main Authors: Liu, Chenglong, Wang, Yueji, Wang, Meng, Huang, Weijiu, Chu, Paul K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 15.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Anodizing; Applied sciences; Biomaterial; Corrosion; Corrosion environments; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electrochemical stability; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanostructure; Nanotubes; Nanotubular Ti; Other surface treatments; Physics; Production techniques; Saliva; Stability; Surface treatment; Surface treatments; Surgical implants; Titanium base alloys; Titanium dioxide; Nanotubular Ti; Biomaterial; Corrosion; Anodizing; Electrochemical stability; Biomedical materials; Stability; Surface treatments; Titanium oxide; Application
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2011.06.038

Recently, titanium and titanium alloys with nanotube layers by anodizing process have gained great interests as surgical implant materials. In this present paper, their electrochemical stability of self-organized TiO2 nanotubue layers prepared by anodization of pure Ti in 0.5wt.% hydrofluoric acid has been investigated in simulated biological environment by use of open-circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The electrochemical testing results indicate that the nanotubular Ti with the diameter of TiO2 nanotube lower than 86nm shows a better corrosion resistance in artificial saliva than that of the mechanically polished Ti. Moreover, the electrochemical stability of Ti nanotubes 22 to 59nm in diameter is improved but that of Ti nanotubes larger than 86nm decreases. Besides, the corrosion attack of the nanotubular Ti is shown by the collapse of TiO2 nanotubue layer. The results suggest that the electrochemical corrosion behavior of nanotubular Ti in artificial saliva is related to the diameter of the nanotubes and thickness of the barrier layer. ► We measured the effect of the diameter of TiO2 nanotube on the corrosion behavior. ► With increasing the diameter led to the variation of the electrochemical stability. ► The existence of TiO2 nanotube improved the stability below 60nm in diameter. ► Changes depend on the diameter and thickness of the barrier layer.