Electrical Potential and Cell Immobilisation Capacity of a Laser-Treated Titanium Alloy Surface

TL;DR

This paper explores how laser treatment of titanium alloys affects surface properties and cell immobilization, aiming to improve implant biocompatibility.

Contribution

The study establishes a correlation between laser-induced surface color, electrical potential, and cell immobilization capacity on titanium alloys.

Findings

Blue color saturation of the oxide film is inversely correlated with the electron work function.

Enhanced immobilization of yeast cells correlates with changes in the electron work function.

Laser treatment alters electronic structure and surface charge, influencing biological responses.

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are widely used in endoprostheses. The naturally formed titanium dioxide film on titanium surfaces improves chemical stability and enhances implant biocompatibility. However, oxidised titanium surfaces may also promote bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, contributing to implant-associated infections. Therefore, surface modification represents a key strategy for controlling microbial–implant interactions. This article focuses widely used titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V treated with a laser beam, which induces surface colour changes as a result of oxide formation. Laser processing enables controlled formation of micro- and nanoscale features, structural reconstructions, and defects that may influence the surface electrical charge and, consequently, cell immobilisation. Thus, the surface colour, electrical potential, and cell immobilisation capacity are likely interrelated. From a manufacturing perspective, titanium oxide colouring facilitates quality control and process reproducibility, as surface colour provides a rapid, non-destructive visual indicator of oxide thickness and treatment consistency. This study aims to identify correlations among surface colour, electrical potential, and cell immobilisation capacity on laser-treated titanium alloys. A relationship between the optical properties, electronic structure, and biological response of laser-processed titanium oxide films is established. Specifically, the blue colour saturation of the oxide film is inversely correlated with the electron work function. A more saturated blue corresponds to a lower work function, indicating a higher positive surface charge density. This shift is attributed to changes in electron affinity, likely resulting from laser-induced structural reconstruction and defect formation within the oxide layer. The proposed changes in electronic structure are supported by modifications in the electronic density of states, analysed using near-threshold photoelectron spectroscopy. The biological response is directly linked to these physical changes: enhanced immobilisation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cells on the treated alloy surface correlates with the electron work function. These results may assist in the development of controlled titanium oxide surfaces with enhanced biocompatibility.

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