Deposition of bioactive layer on NiTi alloy by chemical treatment

A simple chemical method was developed for inducing bioactivity on NiTi alloys (50 at. pct by Ni/Ti). A layer of calcium phosphate was deposited on the surface to improve biocompatibility of the alloy. NiTi alloys were first etched in HNO3 aqueous solution, and then treated with boiling diluted NaOH solution. A rough surface was created and a thin TiO2 layer was formed on the surface. Pre-calcification was then introduced by immersing the treated NiTi alloys in supersaturated Na2HPO4 solution and supersaturated Ca(OH)(2) solution in turn before calcification in simulated body fluid (SBF). A dense and uniform bonelike calcium phosphate (Ca-P) bioactive layer was formed on the surfaces of the specimen, which would improve their biocompatibility. Morphology and element analysis on NiTi surfaces during the treatments were investigated in detail by means of environment scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).