• Butsarin Loktrakul D.D.S.
• Viritpon Srimaneepong D.D.S., M.D.Sc., Ph.D.

Objective To investigate the surface characteristics of anodized commercially pure titanium grade
2 prepared in different electrolytes and the relationship between surface properties and calcium
phosphate formation immersed in simulated body fluid solution.

Materials and methods Commercially pure titanium grade 2 plates sized 10 x 15 x 0.5 mm³ were
divided into three groups, 10 specimens for each group, including control. Potentiostatic anodization
was performed for 30 minutes at room temperature. Group I specimens were anodized in 0.5 M H₃PO₄
with potential of 200 V and Group II specimens were anodized in 1 M NaOH solution with potential
of 20 V. All specimens were then immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 7, 14 and 28
days at 36.5°C, pH 7.4. The x-ray diffraction, SEM and EDS analysis were used to investigate the
surface characteristics of anodized titanium before and after immersion in SBF.

Results After anodic oxidation, the uniform structure consisting of numerous pores was observed on
the surface of titanium specimens in H₃PO₄ solution, while irregular surface consisting of pores and
elevated surface on titanium specimens in NaOH solution. Using XRD analysis, anatase crystalline
structure was found on titanium anodized in H₃PO₄, but rutile crystalline structure was observed on
titanium anodized in NaOH. After immersion in SBF, only titanium prepared in electrolyte of NaOH
immersed in SBF for 28 days showed calcium phosphate formation. However, no calcium phosphate
formation could be observed in any group of titanium specimens anodized in H₃PO₄ including control group.

Conclusion Crystalline structure of anodized titanium surface may influece partly on the ability of
calcium phosphate formation after immersion in simulated body fluid solution.

(CU Dent J. 2013;36:97-106)