Electrophoretic deposition of polymer-carbon nanotube-hydroxyapatite composites

Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) has been utilized for the fabrication of composites containing multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in a biopolymer matrix. Chitosan - MWCNT films were obtained by cathodic EPD. Alginic acid - MWCNT and hyaluronic acid - MWCNT films were deposited by anodic EPD. Biopolymer MWCNT - hydroxyapatite (HA) films were prepared as monolayer nanocomposites containing MWCNT and HA in a biopolymer matrix or laminates, containing biopolymer - MWCNT layers separated by biopolymer HA layers. The thickness of individual layers can be varied in the range of 0.2-5 mu m by variation in deposition time. Obtained films provided corrosion protection of NiTi shape memory alloys in Ringer's physiological solution. The deposition mechanisms, properties and applications of the obtained composite films are discussed. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.