SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION OF ION-BEAM SPUTTER-DEPOSITED CA-P COATINGS AFTER IN-VITRO IMMERSION

The surface properties of ion-beam sputter-deposited calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coatings on titanium (Ti) substrates were investigated using a tomic force microscopy (AFM), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR ) spectroscopy. The Ca-P coatings showed columnar growth with AFM. Alt hough FTIR analyses revealed structural changes as a result of the coa ting process, negligible changes in the structural integrity of the co atings were observed after immersion in an alpha-modification of Eagle 's Medium (alpha-MEM). This finding was confirmed by XPS and AES analy ses, indicating constant binding and kinetic energies for P 2p and O 1 s spectra, and O KLL and P LVV Auger lines, respectively, for all cont rols and samples immersed in alpha-MEM solutions. Although XPS analyse s indicated no significant change in the P concentration, a reduction in the Ca concentration was observed, thereby resulting in a decrease in the Ca/P ratio from 2.3 to 1.5 after 12 days of immersion.