Ta-containing oxide coatings on titanium for biomedical application

Bioinert, biocompatible, chemical-resistant oxide coatings containing Ta₂O₅, which are promising to be applied to titanium implants, were produced on titanium by plasma electrolytic oxidation in an aqueous electrolyte. An effect of formation conditions on the elemental and phase composition, thickness, and roughness of the coatings was researched. It was found that an addition of polyethylene glycol to electrolyte without affecting the elemental composition and the thickness causes a change in the porosity and an increase in the roughness of the formed oxide layer. Changing the surface arrangement may allow affecting an adhesion of biotissues to titanium implants with coatings and accumulating drugs by the coatings.