Sequential surface oxidation followed by hydrogenation of pure titanium: Preparation and characterization for orthopedic implant application
Journal
Surface and Coatings Technology
Journal Volume
531
Start Page
133558
ISSN
02578972
Date Issued
2026-07-01
Author(s)
Lu, Chien-Lin
Wang, Huey-Yuan
Sun, Yun-Qing
Lin, Yu-Chien
Tseng, Shih-Feng
Tseng, Ching-Li
Chung, Ren-Jei
Abstract
The long-term success of titanium orthopedic implants is frequently challenged by stress shielding, peri-implant inflammation, oxidative stress, and corrosion-induced ion release, which can hinder proper osseointegration. This study establishes a cathodic hydrogenation strategy to functionalize commercial pure titanium (CP-Ti), with select samples receiving anodization or alkali-etching pre-treatments, aiming to simultaneously optimize biomechanical compatibility and biological activity. Electrochemical charging successfully introduced a stable titanium hydride (TiHx) phase, which significantly reduced the surface Young's modulus from ∼60 GPa to <10 GPa, approximating that of trabecular bone, thereby mitigating potential stress shielding. Surface analysis revealed that hydrogenation, particularly on anodized substrates (A-H), induced a hierarchical micro/nano-topography (Surface roughness; Sa≈310nm) and improved wettability (contact angle decreased from ∼60° to ∼45°). Electrochemical polarization tests further demonstrated that hydrogenation conferred superior thermodynamic stability; specifically, the A-H group exhibited a significant anodic potential shift (Ecorr > 0 V) and robust passivation behavior, effectively minimizing the risk of metallic ion release. In vitro evaluations demonstrated that the hydrogenated surfaces facilitated rapid hydroxyapatite precipitation in simulated body fluid and exhibited potent antioxidant capacity, scavenging ∼90% of DPPH free radicals within 24 h. This hydrogen-mediated microenvironment significantly enhanced the proliferation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) and L929 fibroblasts. In vivo femoral implantation in a rat model confirmed superior osseointegration, with the anodized-hydrogenated group achieving a push-out bond strength of about 300 N, double that of untreated titanium (∼150 N). These findings position hydrogenated titanium as a multifunctional biomaterial that synergistically addresses mechanical mismatch, corrosion stability, and inflammatory oxidative stress, highlighting its promising potential as an advanced orthopedic implant material.
Subjects
Anti-inflammatory
Commercially pure titanium
Electrochemical hydrogenation
Orthopedic implants
Osseointegration
Publisher
Elsevier B.V.
Type
journal article