In Vitro Corrosion Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Ag-SiO2-TiO2 Coatings Electrophoretically Deposited on NiTi Alloy
Source abstract
Abstract
NiTi alloys are widely used in biomedical applications due to their shape memory and superelastic properties. However, their surface reactivity requires protective, biofunctional coatings. To enhance NiTi performance, its surface was modified with an Ag-SiO2-TiO2 nanocoating containing small amounts of silica and silver. The coating’s primary phase was rutile with structural defects and a silver solid solution. It showed good adhesion, high scratch resistance, and improved corrosion behavior in Ringer’s solution, as demonstrated by EIS and cyclic polarization. EIS revealed high low-frequency impedance and two time constants, suggesting both barrier protection and slower electrochemical processes. Despite low breakdown and repassivation potentials, the coating effectively limited uniform corrosion. SEM/EDS confirmed localized degradation and partial substrate exposure, while elemental mapping showed well-dispersed silica and silver in a TiO2-rich matrix. The proposed pitting mechanism involves chloride-induced depassivation and galvanic effects. Surface potential mapping indicated electrostatic heterogeneity, mitigated by silica. The coating offers a balanced combination of corrosion protection and biofunctionality, supporting its potential for implant use.
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Research context
OpenAlex topics: Electrophoretic Deposition in Materials Science · TiO2 Photocatalysis and Solar Cells · Bone Tissue Engineering Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Materials Engineering, University of Silesia in Katowice, 75 Pułku Piechoty 1A, 41-500 Chorzów, Poland
Łukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Ceramics and Building Materials, Cementowa 8, 31-983 Kraków, Poland
Funding
National Science Center in Poland (NCN)
References (45)
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