Structure, characterization and cytotoxicity study on plasma surface modified Ti-6Al-4V and γ-TiAl alloys

Surface modification of two titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V and gamma-TiAl) was performed by Plasma Assisted Microwave Chemical Vapor Deposition (PA MW CVD) method. The plasma treatment revealed formation of stable surface coatings and significant improvement of mechanical and surface parameters such as: hardness, roughness, surface energy and contact angle, that are crucial in case of application in implantology. Deposition of SiCNH coating on the gamma-TiAl alloy surface, without plasma nitriding process application, resulted in the most hydrophobic structure with the largest surface area. The selected deposition parameters aided the excellent attachment of CT26 cells and promoted their growth. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.