Effect of heat treatment on the structure and in vitro bioactivity of microarc-oxidized (MAO) titania coatings containing Ca and P ions

Microarc oxidized (MAO) coating containing TiO2 and amorphous calcium phosphate was formed on Ti6Al4V in an electrolyte containing EDTA-Ca and phosphate. Subsequent heat treatment has significant effects on the structure and in vitro bioactivity of the MAO coating. After heat treatment (400–800 °C), the crystallinity of TiO2 increases, and micropore numbers of the MAO coating decline. Moreover, Ca3(PO4)2 is formed on the surfaces of the MAO coatings after heat treatment at 700 and 800 °C. The SEM and ICP-OES results indicate that the abilities of apatite-forming and Ca and P releasing of the MAO coating decrease after heat treatment. The apatite-forming ability of the MAO coating is associated with the crystallinities of titanium oxide and calcium phosphate. The MAO coating containing TiO2 with a low crystallinity and amorphous calcium phosphate facilitates the apatite formation in vitro. In addition, the induced biomimetic apatite by the MAO coating without heat treatment exhibits carbonated structure, controllable crystallinity and pore networks on the nanometer scale.