Evaluation of surface characteristics and hemocompatibility on the oxygen plasma-modified biomedical titanium

Oxygen plasma with different treatment powers and durations was utilized to modify the biomedical pure titanium (Ti) surface in the present study. The superficial, microstructural and biological properties of the plasma-oxidized samples were investigated using the electron microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffractometer, contact angle goniometer and blood clotting time assay. During different treatment powers and durations, the island-like nanostructural rutile-TiO₂ layer and dimple-like nanostructural rutile-TiO₂ layer were generated on the surfaces of the plasma-oxidized samples, respectively. It was also found that the plasma-oxidized sample with a rough oxide layer resulted in the formation of a higher wettability. Moreover, the blood clotting time assay indicated that the plasma-oxidized samples exhibited the adhesion behaviors of red blood cells. As the Ti surface underwent plasma oxidation at 280 W for 30 min, it not only generates a rough nanostructural rutile-TiO₂ layer, but also presents an excellent hemocompatibility. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that oxygen plasma modification is a potential approach to promote the hemocompatibility of biomedical pure Ti surface.