EFFECTS OF AN ALKALI TREATMENT ON TNTZ SURFACES TO GROW Ca-P USING IMMERSION IN A SIMULATED BODY FLUID AND A HANKS’ BALANCED SALT SOLUTION

This study investigates the effects of alkaline treatment on Titanium Niobium Zirconium (TNTZ) to enhance its bioactive properties. TNTZ samples were subjected to immersion in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions at concentrations of 1 M, 5 M, and 10 M at 60 °C for 24 hours. Following this treatment, the samples were immersed in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF), specifically Kokubo and Hank’s Solutions, for varying durations of 2, 3, and 4 weeks at 37 °C with agitation. The treated samples were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Results indicated the successful formation of an apatite layer alongside a TiO₂ layer on the TNTZ surface, with concurrent increases in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) presence as a function of NaOH concentration and immersion time. Notably, the TiO₂ layer covered more than 40 % of the TNTZ surface area. These findings highlight that the alkaline treatment significantly enhances the bioactive properties of TNTZ, thereby demonstrating its potential for applications in biomedical fields.