Enhanced surface and corrosion properties of titanium sheets via electrophoretic deposition of nano graphene and boron doped Hydroxyapatite coatings for biomedical applications

Abstract Titanium and its alloys play a critical role in the biomedical field because of their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Additionally, titanium and its alloys are utilized to enhance their biological performance, particularly in implant materials, due to their exceptional corrosion resistance. In this study, titanium sheets were coated with Hydroxyapatite (HA)-based composite materials, renowned for their relevance in bone tissue engineering, using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique. Coatings were prepared from HA, HA with 1 wt% boron (HA-B), and HA with 1 wt% graphene (HA-Gr) and deposited at varying voltages of 30, 60, and 90 V. The influence of key process parameters, including applied voltage, deposition time, and solid loading, was systematically investigated through morphological, structural, and chemical bonding analyses. As a result of x-ray Diffraction Analysis (XRD) analysis, HA, Ti, and TiO 2 phases were revealed. Coating thicknesses ranged from 31.25 μm to 97.5 μm, with the highest quality coatings obtained at 90 V. Contact angle measurements indicated that pure HA coatings exhibited hydrophobic behaviour, while adding boron and graphene imparted hydrophilic characteristics. HA-B-coated surfaces show superior corrosion properties compared to other coatings. Raman analyses confirm high crystallinity with a 960 cm −1 band in HA samples. In contrast, the D and G bands observed in the HA–Gr composite indicate the presence of graphene, and the weakening and broadening of the ν 1 (PO 4 ) band and the prominence of phosphate bands in the HA–B sample.