Biocompatible layers of hydroxyapatite and fluorhydroxyapatite were grown o
n Ti substrates by means of dip-coating into sol-gel. In order to improve t
he adhesion of apatite-based coatings, the substrates were a priori covered
with calcium titanate. Therefore, the hydroxyapatite, fluorhydroxyapatite
and CaTiO3 coatings were produced and analysed. The chemical composition of
the coatings (CaTiO3, CaTiO3 + hydroxyapatite, and CaTiO3 + fluorhydroxyap
atite) was studied by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The dat
a of quantitative XPS analysis displayed the different features (cleanness,
homogeneity, etc.) of CaTiO3, hydroxyapatite, and fluorhydroxyapatite film
s after the growth and after the treatment in vitro. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scie
nce B.V. All rights reserved.