The surface characteristics and osteoconductivity were evaluated for the micro/nanoporous surfaces of titanium (Ti) alloys prepared by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and hydrothermal treatment (HT) of binary Ti-5 wt% A alloys (A = Au, Mn, Nb, and Pd). Surface properties were analyzed using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The osteoconductivity was evaluated by measuring the total protein, ALPase activity, and osteocalcin production. The surface morphologies of MAO/HT specimens mainly affected on their osteoconductivity. Total proteins on Ti alloys (MAO/HT) were slightly lower than that on commercially pure Ti (MAO/HT) after incubation of MG-63 osteoblast-like cells for 14 days. However, better ALPase activity and osteocalcin production were observed on MAO/HT-treated Ti–5Mn, Ti–5Nb, and Ti–5Pd than that on cp-Ti (MAO/HT) after 14 days. Especially, Ti–5Mn (MAO/HT) showed a significant increase of ALPase activity due to its well grown micro/nano structure. Meanwhile, very small nanorods on Ti–5Au (MAO/HT) affected negatively to ALPase activity and osteocalcin production.
Keywords: i alloys; Micro-Arc Oxidation; Hydrothermal Treatment; Osteoconductivity.