Corrosion Evaluation and Characterization of Mo Co-Doped TiO2 Nanotubes Electrosynthesized on Ti6Al4V Alloy for Biomedical Applications
摘要
TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) were successfully electrosynthesized on Ti6Al4V alloy by anodization in a fluoride-containing electrolyte. Molybdenum species were subsequently incorporated into the nanotubular structure by cyclic voltammetry in Na2MoO4 solution using 10, 20, and 30 cycles. The treated surfaces were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Corrosion behavior was evaluated in-depth in Ringer solution at 37 °C using open circuit potential (OCP) monitoring, Tafel polarization, chronoamperometry (CA), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), complemented by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) analysis of released ions (Ti, Al, V, and Mo). The incorporation of molybdenum species (predominantly Mo4+ as MoO2, with a minor contribution of Mo6+ associated with hydrated MoO3) generated an additional protective layer that significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the TNTs. The Mo30-TNTs sample exhibited the highest polarization resistance and charge-transfer resistance values, with impedance modulus, approximately, two orders of magnitude higher than those of the TNTs after prolonged immersion time. Moreover, Mo incorporation substantially reduced the release of potentially toxic alloying elements (Al and V) into the physiological solution. These findings demonstrate that Mo incorporation on anodic TNTs is a simple and effective strategy to significantly improve the anticorrosive properties of TNTs in Ringer solution, while maintaining the hydrophilicity character of the bare alloy, thereby offering a promising surface modification for orthopedic and dental implants, where long-term corrosion resistance and reduced metal ion release are essential for implant safety.