Preparation and in vitro characterization of crack-free mesoporous titania films

Crack-free mesoporous titania films (MTFs) on Ti6Al4V demonstrated potential application for implanting and bone regeneration materials in the future. The MTFs were prepared on Ti6Al4V substrate by an evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) process. The BET surface area, pore volume, and pore size of the MTFs samples were calculated to be 190 m2/g, 0.31 cm3/g, and 4.8 nm, respectively. The apatite-forming ability of the MTFs was evaluated by immersing them in simulated body fluid (SBF). After immersion in SBF for 5 days, bone-like apatite was induced on the surface of the MTFs. With increasing immersion time, the apatite would continue to grow and cover the surface of the MTFs. The apatite induced by MTFs contains Mg and Na ions, carbonated moieties and nano-network structure. In this work, preliminary investigation of the MG63 cell proliferation on the surface of the MTFs was also conducted. The cell experiment indicated that the MTFs possessed good biocompatibility and can thus provide a surface suitable for MG63 cell proliferation. The effects of surface properties and mesostructure on inducing apatite and cell proliferation were also discussed.