Electrophoretic deposition of nanostructured TiO2/alginate and TiO2-bioactive glass/alginate composite coatings on stainless steel

Two alginate (Alg) based composite coatings on stainless steel AISI 316L substrates, one containing titania nanoparticles (n-TiO2) and another one a mixture (50/50 wt-%) of n-TiO2 and bioactive glass (BG), intended for biomedical applications, were developed by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) from ethanol/water suspensions. Different n-TiO2 (2- 10 g L-1) and BG (1-5 g L-1) contents were studied for a fixed alginate concentration (2 g L-1), and the properties of the electrophoretically obtained coatings were characterised. Coatings with high ceramic content (up to 67 vol.-%) were obtained. The presence of BG particles improves the mechanical properties of the coatings by increasing the adhesion to the substrate and also accelerates the formation of hydroxyapatite after immersion of the coatings in simulated body fluid. The electrochemical behaviour of the coated substrates, evaluated by polarisation curves in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium at 37 degrees C, confirmed the corrosion protection function of the novel EPD coatings. The present polymer-ceramic composite coatings belong to an emerging family of bioactive, compliant coatings that are promising for a range of biomedical applications.