Effect of electrolyte pH on the structure and in vitro osteoblasts response to anodic titanium oxide

This study examines the surface morphology, microstructure, and chemical composition of titanium surfaces treated by anodic spark oxidation in phosphate buffer solution at pH 2, 7 and 12. The pH of the electrolyte was found to play a substantial role in the formation of different morphologies, chemical compositions, and pore dimensions with microporous structures. SEM revealed variation in the topologies of the anodized surface with electrolyte pH. Porous structures with uniform pores and high roughness were obtained in pH 12 solutions. However, intense anatase crystal was obtained at pH 7. The relationship between surface characteristics of titanium and initial interactions of titanium-osteoblasts was also investigated. Our findings demonstrated the cell viability and proliferation on the anodic oxides produced at pH 12 to be superior to those produced at pH 2 and 7 as well as on the control titanium surface. This study also provides evidence of enhanced osteoblast adhesion on anodized metal substrates under in vitro conditions.