Effect of current density on the morphology and electrochemical properties of nanotubular TiO2 for implant applications

This study focuses on investigating the influence of current density (i) (A/dm2) at values of 0.5 A dm−2, 1.0 A dm−2 1.5 A dm−2, and 2.0 A/dm2 on the surface structure of nanotubular titanium dioxide (TiO2) in an ethylene glycol solvent containing a certain amount of fluoride salt and water. The surface structure observed via FESEM images reveals that different current densities yield different nanotubular TiO2 structures, predominantly in the form of anatase TiO2 crystals. EIS and CV measurements indicate that at a current density of i = 1.5 A dm−2, the nanotubular TiO2 layer exhibits corrosion resistance performance up to 90.06 compared to the bare titanium (Ti) samples. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrates enhanced attachment of BHK cells on anodized titanium surfaces compared to unmodified controls. These findings suggest that nanotubular TiO2 presents a biocompatible material with promising potential for biomedical implant applications. © 2024 The Author(s)