Ceramic-polymer coatings on Ti-6Al-4V alloy modified with L-cysteine in biomedical applications

Osteoporosis is a 21st century disease that affects an enormous number of people, both sexes, but mainly elderly women. In this work the preparation of ceramic-polymer coatings on titanium alloys, based on poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate modified with hydroxyapatite and L-cysteine was described. Synthetic hydroxyapatite was obtained by wet chemical synthesis from orthophosphoric acid and calcium hydroxide. It was characterized by FT-IR infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry as well as the molar ratio Ca/P was determined. For the preparation of composite materials on a polymer matrix, ceramics and L-cysteine were used. The coatings were then characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy to determine the chemical composition. Also the sample morphology was determined using SEM scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, the obtained coatings were subjected to in vitro immersion tests in artificial saliva and simulated body fluid. After the incubation period, changes in surface morphology were analysed using SEM imaging and EDS microanalysis as well as changes in chemical composition were determined using FT-IR. After the incubation period, changes in surface morphology were analysed using SEM imaging and EDS microanalysis as well as changes in chemical composition were determined using FT-IR. Presented studies enable to state that the applied modifiers support the process of biomineralization by precipitation of apatite skeletons on the surface of coatings.