Investigation of the electrochemical, optical, in vitro and in vivo properties of superhydrophobic and superoleophobic CP-Ti material coated with different methods

Wettability, plays an important role in many areas of daily life. It is an important property for the biocompatibility of implant materials. For this purpose, superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coatings on CP-Ti and borosilicate glass samples used as biomaterials were produced using UV curing and sol-gel methods. Structural analysis of the obtained films on the surface were determined by SEM images, EDS analysis and XRD analysis. The mechanical properties of the coatings were characterized by a micro hardness device and the surface roughness was characterized by a 3D profilometer. After the coating, open circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments were performed to determine the electrochemical properties. The biocompatibility properties were evaluated by in vitro cytotoxicity tests with MTT and LDH releasing tests. Furthermore, the effect of the implant-tissue on the in vivo environment of untreated and superhydrophobic samples were investigated. For this purpose, implantation process was performed to musculus biceps femoris at Sprague-Dawley rats. After removal of the specimens the statistical analysis, histopathological examinations and immunohistochemical examinations related to the formation of neutrophil leukocyte, fibroblast present and fibrous capsule formation in implanted contact tissues were performed. The self-cleaning properties, anti-bacterial and anti-corrosion properties were obtained from the superhydrophobic and superoleophobic coated films. After 24 hours of the in vitro cytotoxicity test, it was determined that the TiO2-coated metal sample had the best biocompatibility property. As a result of pathological examinations for in vivo characteristics, neutrophil leukocyte infiltration is severe in the untreated glass samples, it was found to be moderate in the other samples and the lowest in the TiO2-coated Ti samples. Immunohistochemical studies showed that, collagen type I and collagen type III are most present in the TiO2-coated Ti samples.