Preparation and analysis of macroporous TiO2 films on Ti surfaces for bone-tissue implants

This article describes the preparation and analysis of macroporous TiO2 fil ms on Ti surfaces, for application in bone tissue-Ti implant interfaces. Th ese TiO2 bioceramic films have a macroporous structure consisting of monodi sperse, three-dimensional, spherical, interconnected pores adjustable in th e micron size range. Micron-sized polystyrene (PS) bead templates are used to precisely define the pore size, creating macroporous TiO2 films with 0.5 0, 16, and 50 mum diameter pores, as shown by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows the films to be predominantly compo sed of TiO2 with similar to 10% carbon. X-ray diffraction reveal rutile as the main phase when fired to the optimal temperature of 950 degreesC. Preli minary experiments find that the in vitro proliferation of human bone-deriv ed cells (HBDC) is similar on all three pore sizes. However, higher [H-3]th ymidine incorporation by the HBDC is observed when they are grown on 0.50- and 16-mum pores compared to the 50-mum pores, suggesting an enhanced cell proliferation for the smaller pores. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.