Nucleation of biocompatible nanostructured coatings via electrochemical process

Hydroxyapatite (HA) has received significant attention and has been clinically applied in orthopaedics and dentistry because of excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties. The combination of high mechanical strength of metals with osteoconductive properties of calcium phosphate makes HA coatings on austenitic stainless steel a promising biomaterial for treatment of bone defects. Hydroxyapatite coatings were obtained on austenitic stainless steels by electrochemical deposition. Electron microscopy observations suggested uniform spread of HA with vein type interconnected structure. The HA coatings were also codeposited with biocompatible chitosan and collagen. The mechanism of electrodeposition of HA based coatings is outlined.