In vivo biological responses of plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings with an electric polarized treatment in alkaline solution

The plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings were post-treated by an electric polarized treatment in alkaline solution (PAS). The compositions, stabilities, surface charges, bone-like apatite formation abilities of the PAS coatings were investigated. The bioactivity of the PAS coatings was characterized in vivo. The results showed that the stabilities of the PAS coatings were improved because of the increased crystallinity and the decreased impurity phase. The bone-like apatite formation abilities were also improved after the PAS treatment because of the negative charges formed on the coating surfaces. Animal experiments showed that the PAS coatings could accelerate the initial fixation of the implant. The results indicated that the PAS is a promising post-treatment method to improve the biological properties of the plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite coatings.