Using submicroporous Ta oxide coatings deposited by a simple hydrolysis-condensation process to increase the biological responses to Ti surface

This study used a simple hydrolysis-condensation process to prepare a tantalum pentoxide (Ta₂O₅) coating with submicroporous topography on a titanium (Ti) substrate. This coating is capable of enhancing biological responses. Characteristics of the surface coating, including morphology, composition, occurrence of functional groups, crystallographic structure, and degree of adherence, were analyzed. The release of Ti ions from the specimens in simulated blood plasma was also measured. The cytotoxicity of the specimens was determined according to ISO10993-5 specifications. We then evaluated biological responses, including fibronectin (FN) adsorption and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hBMSC) responses. Our results demonstrate that this simple hydrolysis-condensation process produced a negatively charged amorphous Ta₂O₅ coating with submicroporous topography and good adhesion to the Ti surface. Compared with an uncoated Ti surface, the Ta₂O₅ coating reduced the release of Ti ions and significantly enhanced FN adsorption and hBMSC responses, including cytoskeletal arrangement, cell adhesion, and cell proliferation. Thus, the proposed submicroporous Ta₂O₅ coating on a Ti surface has considerable potential for bone implant applications.