CHARACTERIZATION OF SOL-GEL SURFACES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS

The aim of the present study was to characterize sol-gel derived titan ia coatings prepared by dipping. The surface characterization was carr ied out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time of fligh t secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF SIMS), combined with X-ray diff raction (XRD) a nd thermal analysis. Sol-gel derived titania surfaces mimicked the surface chemistry of the natural oxide layer found on com mercial titanium im pla nts. These surfaces could be used to develop a n in vitro model of the osseointegration process. Similar analytical t echniques were applied to apatite-like coatings and preliminary result s suggest that hydroxyapatite coatings can be produced from a sol-gel route.