Tran Thi Trang, Nguyen Thi Nguyet, Le Thi Tam, Hoang Van Vuong, Nguyen Thi Thanh Tuyen, Nguyen Truong Giang, Le Van Toan, Nguyen Van Toan, Le Thi Bang, Ta Quoc Tuan, Vuong-Hung Pham.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2026.116083, Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces
Abstract
Hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings on TiO₂ nanotube arrays have attracted considerable interest for improving the
bioactivity of titanium implants. However, the influence of electrodeposition potential on coating formation and
its correlation with the structural, electrochemical, and biological performance of HA/TiO₂ coatings remains
insufficiently understood. In this study, HA coatings were electrodeposited onto anodized TiO₂ nanotube arrays
at deposition potentials ranging from 1 to 9 V. The coatings were systematically characterized in terms of
morphology, phase composition, surface properties, corrosion resistance, apatite-forming ability, and in vitro
cytocompatibility. Low deposition potentials (1–5 V) produced discontinuous HA deposits, whereas an excessive
potential (9 V) resulted in non-uniform crystal growth. In contrast, deposition at 7 V generated a homogeneous
hierarchical micro/nanostructure with superhydrophilic wettability, improved coating adhesion, enhanced
corrosion resistance, rapid apatite formation in simulated body fluid, and superior cell attachment and extra
cellular matrix protein deposition. These findings demonstrate that deposition potential governs the structure-
property relationship of electrochemically deposited HA/TiO₂ coatings and identify 7 V as the optimal condi
tion for achieving balanced physicochemical, electrochemical, and biological properties. The optimized HA/TiO₂
coating shows promising potential for bioactive surface modification of biomedical implants.
