Bio-functionalization with Niobium Oxide Coating of Ti-42Nb Processed by Selective Laser Melting

• Grant number: 24/11044-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: April 07, 2025
• End date: April 06, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Transformation Metallurgy
• Principal Investigator: Aline Gonçalves Capella
• Grantee: Aline Gonçalves Capella
• Host Investigator: Ignacio Garcia Diego
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain

Abstract

Beta-Ti alloys containing Nb have been investigated due their biocompatibility properties, low toxicity, and good corrosion resistance associated with low Young's modulus. However, the development of beta-Ti alloys should consider improving the mechanical, tribological, electrochemical and biological properties of their surface. In this sense, the bio-functionalization of the ¿-Ti alloy surfaces can be an alternative to obtaining multifunctional implants. The bio-functionalization of biomaterials has an important role in the interaction between the material and the tissue and is related to surface wettability, bioactivity of the molecules, and cellular regeneration for the osseointegration. The goal of the present research is to produce Ti-42Nb parts by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) with crystallographic texture optimization, followed by its bio-functionalization with Nb2O5 coating. This study aims to crystallographic texture optimization of the Ti-42Nb alloy by Selective Laser Melting (SLM) to produce lower elastic modulus Ti-42Nb arts, followed by a surface functionalization with Nb2O5 under different process parameters to improve the biocompatibility. It is expected to evaluate the biofilm growth formed by bacterial and fungal microorganisms on as-built and oxide coated ¿-Ti substrate, following standard protocols, considering the microstructural and mechanical properties of the sample fabricated by an additive manufacturing technology with suitable characteristics for future biomedical applications.