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Journal of the Electrochemical Society, Vol.154, No.10, C593-C601, 2007
Reactivity of titanium in physiological medium
A systematic investigation of the reactivity of a mechanically polished titanium interface in contact with calf serum with and without the addition of phosphate ions is presented. Linear sweep voltammetry experiments and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to obtain information on the corrosion behavior of the titanium interface when immersed in a 21% calf serum solution diluted with phosphate buffer or water. The electrochemical analysis established a modification of the cathodic reaction processes in connection with a blocking of reactional sites due to adsorption phenomena as well as the formation of a passive film protecting the metallic titanium. Surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy complemented the electrochemical results and was used to characterize the composition and the morphology of the interphase. While calf serum absorbs strongly on Ti in aqueous solutions, the presence of phosphate ions limits this phenomenon. A competition between the adsorptions of calf serum and those relating to phosphate ions have to be considered. The decrease of absorbed serum in the presence of phosphate ions is believed to be related to the change in wettability of the titanium surface in the presence of phosphate. An interfacial architecture model of the titanium interface in contact with calf serum and in the presence of phosphate ions was established and consisted of an assembly of four layers: metallic Ti, titanium oxide, phosphated titanium, adsorbed calf serum. (c) 2007 The Electrochemical Society.