New specific metal-silica biocomposites for medical implants

All metallic biomaterials contain elements which may cause metallosis or corrosion, and their surfaces may not promote colonization by cells of the surrounding tissue. In this paper, the authors describe new materials for coating on a commercially available alloy that act as bio-functional as well as a better protective coating for medical implants. The authors have chosen the stainless steel 316L for deposition of silica doped thin films prepared by sol-gel method. Two different silica precursors have been used: tetramethylorthosilicate and tetraethylorthosilicate and two others with halides substituents: 3-chloropropyl-trimethoxysilane and fluorotriethoxy-silane. Ethanol was used as solvent and hydrochloric acid as catalyst. Cleaned metallic substrate were dip-coated by the sols, then dried at room temperature in air and stabilized at a temperature of 50°C, 300°C, and 500°C. The materials were variously examined: structurally (scanning electron microscopy, roughness measurements), physic-chemically (att...