Electrospun nano-barium titanate/polycaprolactone composite coatings on titanium and Ti13Nb13Zr alloy

Abstract

Using coated implant materials has been demonstrated to enhance bone regeneration and expedite healing around implant sites significantly. Generally, employing a polymeric matrix reinforced with ceramic materials has been considered a promising composite material for the coating of implants. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mixing varying concentrations of nano-barium titanate (nanoBaTiO3) (9, 18, and 36 wt%) to polycaprolactone (PCL) (18 wt%) on the properties of coatings applied to commercially pure titanium (CpTi) and Ti13Nb13Zr alloys implant materials. The electrospinning technique was utilised to fabricate the coatings, and the samples were characterised using atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the composite coating’s surface roughness and topography; the incorporation of a high amount of BaTiO3 resulted in increased roughness of the coating layer on CpTi and Ti13Nb13Zr alloys (69.78 nm and 96.88 nm, respectively). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology; the fibre diameters of BT/PCL composite were 80 to 534 nm for different mixture concentrations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) verified the chemical bonds in the composite coating. Results indicated that increasing the proportion of nano-barium titanate in the coating composition reduced water contact angles and enhanced the adhesion strength of the composite coating to the substrate. These findings provide valuable information for developing new coating materials to promote the growth of new bone and accelerate healing around implants.