A review of plasma-assisted methods for calcium phosphate-based coatings fabrication

The review is focused on the latest achievements in the field of plasma-assisted fabrication of biocompatible CaP-based coatings for medical implants with the emphasis on the coatings composition, structure, mechanical and biological performance. The discussed properties of biocompatible CaP coatings have been recently prepared using the most frequently applied plasma-assisted techniques such as plasma spraying (PS), radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering, pulsed laser deposition (PLD), and ion beam-assisted deposition (IBAD). The review shows that plasma-assisted fabrication allows us to prepare dense, homogeneous, pore-free and high adherent biocompatible coatings able to prevent the leaching of toxic ions from metal to the surrounding tissues or rough and porous coatings capable of stimulating osteogenesis of a new bone. The main advantages and limitations of the described techniques of CaP-based coatings fabrication are presented as well as the most important challenges and critical issues are highlighted.