Tailoring the synthesis of tantalum-based thin films for biomedical application: Characterization and biological response

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C 2019-08, Vol.101, p.111-119
• Main Authors: Beline, Thamara, da Silva, José H.D., Matos, Adaias O., Azevedo Neto, Nilton F., de Almeida, Amanda B., Nociti Júnior, Francisco H., Leite, Douglas M.G., Rangel, Elidiane Cipriano, Barão, Valentim A.R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesion; Adhesion tests; Animals; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biofilms; Biomedical materials; Biomedical Technology - methods; Cell Line; Cell spreading; Chemical composition; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry; Crystal structure; Crystallinity; Crystallization; Cytology; Dental implants; Deposition; Flow rates; Flow velocity; Homogeneity; Magnetron sputtering; Materials science; Mice; Morphology; Optical analysis; Optical characterization; Optical properties; Organic chemistry; Oscillations; Osteoblasts; Osteoblasts - cytology; Osteoblasts - ultrastructure; Oxide coatings; Parameters; Refractometry; Roughness; Spreading; Surface energy; Surface properties; Surface treatment; Surgical implants; Tantalum; Tantalum - chemistry; Tantalum oxide; Thermodynamics; Thickness; Thin films; Titanium; X-Ray Diffraction
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.03.072

The aim of this study was to tailor the deposition parameters of magnetron sputtering to synthetize tantalum oxide (TaxOy) films onto commercially pure titanium (cpTi) surface. The structural and optical properties, morphology, roughness, elemental chemical composition and surface energy were assessed. The impact of TaxOy films on initial Streptococcus sanguinis adhesion was investigated. The morphology and spreading of pre-osteoblastic (MC3T3-E1) cells on a crystalline tantalum oxide film were evaluated. TaxOy films with estimated thickness of 600 nm and different structures (amorphous or crystalline) were produced depending on the various oxygen flow rates and parameters used. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the 8 O2 sccm (600 °C/400 W) group showed crystallization corresponding to the β-Ta2O5 phase. Optical analysis showed that the 4 O2 sccm (200 °C 300 W) to 8 O2 sccm (600 °C 300 W) groups and 10 O2 sccm (200 °C 300 W) group presented regular and large-amplitude interference oscillations, suggesting high optical homogeneity of the films. The crystalline β-Ta2O5 coating showed higher roughness and surface energy values than the other groups (P  .05). By tailoring the deposition parameters, we synthetized a crystalline β-Ta2O5 coating that improved titanium surface properties and positively affected cell spreading and morphology, making it a promising surface treatment for titanium-based implants. [Display omitted] •Amorphous and crystalline tantalum oxide films were synthetized by sputtering.•Titanium surface properties were improved by the crystalline tantalum oxide film.•Neither the amorphous nor crystalline tantalum oxide film has contributed to the increase of bacterial adhesion.•The crystalline tantalum oxide film improved cell spreading and morphology.