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Surface modification of zirconium by anodisation as material for permanent implants: in vitro and in vivo study

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Abstract

The potential use of anodised zirconium as permanent implant has been investigated. Zirconium was anodised at constant potential between 3 and 30 V in H3PO4. Electrochemical assays were conducted in simulated body fluid solution (SBF) in order to evaluate the effect of the surface oxide on the corrosion resistance in vitro after 30 days of immersion. The rupture potential increases when increasing thickness of the anodic surface film. The increase in the barrier effect when increasing anodising potential is also verified by EIS. Anodisation in H3PO4 proved to increase the apatite formation capability of zirconium in a single step. In vivo bone formation was also analysed by implanting the modified materials in Wistar rats. Anodised Zr presents higher corrosion resistance in SBF in all the studied immersion times when compared with non anodised Zr. Additionally, in vivo experiments evidence bone generation and growth in contact with zirconium implants both in the as-received and anodised condition.

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Acknowledgments

The support from Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica (PICT 0550/07) and Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (15G/270), Argentina, is gratefully acknowledged. The authors also acknowledge Drs. Valcarce and Valdes for the Raman measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. División Corrosión-INTEMA, Universidad Nacional del Mar del Plata-CONICET, Juan B. Justo 4302, B7608FDQ, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    A. Gomez Sanchez, J. Ballarre & S. Ceré

  2. Servicio de Ortopedia y Traumatología, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Oscar Alende, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina

    J. C. Orellano

  3. Departamento de Materiales, Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica CONICET, Av. Gral. Paz 1499, (1650) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. Duffó

  4. Universidad Nacional de Gral. San Martín, Av. Gral. Paz 1499, (1650) San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina

    G. Duffó

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  1. A. Gomez Sanchez
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Correspondence to S. Ceré.

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Gomez Sanchez, A., Ballarre, J., Orellano, J.C. et al. Surface modification of zirconium by anodisation as material for permanent implants: in vitro and in vivo study. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 24, 161–169 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4770-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4770-8

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