Surface Modification of Commercially Pure Ti Treated with Aqueous NaOH Treatment and Ethyl Alcohol Aging

This study evaluates the biomimetic calcium phosphate-forming abilities of commercially pure titanium (c.p. Ti) substrates treated with NaOH aqueous solution and subsequent ethyl alcohol aging before being soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF). Specimens of c.p. Ti were initially treated with 5 M NaOH at 60 degrees C for 24 h, resulting in the formation of a porous network structure composed of sodium hydrogen titanate (NaxH2-xTi3O7). The specimens were then aged in ethyl alcohol at 60 degrees C for 5 or 10 min, and subsequently immersed in SBF at 37 degrees C for 3, 7, and 14 days, respectively. The calcium phosphate-forming abilities of the c.p. Ti after a single NaOH treatment were low, but significantly increased after ethyl alcohol aging. Similarly, aging in ethyl alcohol reduced the water contact angles of the surfaces. NaOH treatment combined with ethyl alcohol aging for 5 mm resulted in the greatest deposit of calcium phosphate on the c.p. Ti.