Comparing performance of nanoarchitectures fabricated by Ti6Al7Nb anodizing in two kinds of electrolytes

The present paper is focused on comparative behaviour of various nanotubes growth on Ti6Al7Nb alloy using electrochemical procedure. The anodizing method under controlled conditions was performed in two kinds of electrolytes as following: a mixture of fluoride salts as inorganic solution (NH4)2SO4 + NH4F 0.5 wt%), and a hybrid inorganic + organic components as glycerol + 4% H2O + NH4F 0.36 wt%. The obtained surface nanostructures were investigated with an Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope and with an Atomic Force Microscope. The evaluation of hydrophilic character completed the surface characterization. The performance of nanotubes layers on Ti6Al7Nb alloy was evaluated from electrochemical methods (open circuit potential, cyclic voltammetry, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and from cellular response at the interface Ti6Al7Nb/oxide/bioelectrolyte). The behaviour of studied systems was discussed taking into account the effect of α + β phases of the bioalloy and fabrication conditions of nanotubes. The improvement in cellular response was ascribed to nanotubes structure as results of fabrication route. As a conclusion the nanoarchitectures obtained in hybrid inorganic + organic components as glycerol + 4% H2O + NH4F 0.36 wt% leads to more performances.