title: Dissolution behaviour of silicon nitride coatings for joint replacements.
abstract: In this study, the dissolution rate of SiNx coatings was investigated as a function of coating composition, in comparison to a cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo) reference. SiNx coatings with N/Si ratios of 0.3, 0.8 and 1.1 were investigated. Electrochemical measurements were complemented with solution (inductively coupled plasma techniques) and surface analysis (vertical scanning interferometry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The dissolution rate of the SiNx coatings was evaluated to 0.2-1.4 nm/day, with a trend of lower dissolution rate with higher N/Si atomic ratio in the coating. The dissolution rates of the coatings were similar to or lower than that of CoCrMo (0.7-1.2 nm/day). The highest nitrogen containing coating showed mainly Si-N bonds in the bulk as well as at the surface and in the dissolution area. The lower nitrogen containing coatings showed Si-N and/or Si-Si bonds in the bulk and an increased formation of Si-O bonds at the surface as well as in the dissolution area. The SiNx coatings reduced the metal ion release from the substrate. The possibility to tune the dissolution rate and the ability to prevent release of metal ions encourage further studies on SiNx coatings for joint replacements.
authors.affiliation: Materials in Medicine Group, Div. of Applied Materials Science, Dept. of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pettersson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Functional Surfaces (iFS), School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bryant
authors.affiliation: Thin Film Physics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology (IFM), Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Susann
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Materials in Medicine Group, Div. of Applied Materials Science, Dept. of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Engqvist
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering (iMBE), School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Richard M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Institute of Functional Surfaces (iFS), School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neville
authors.affiliation: Materials in Medicine Group, Div. of Applied Materials Science, Dept. of Engineering Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. Electronic address: cecilia.persson@angstrom.uu.se.
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Persson
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D003343:Corrosion; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques; D007368:Interferometry; D008422:Materials Testing; D056951:Photoelectron Spectroscopy; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D014800:Vitallium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D014800:Vitallium; C032734:silicon nitride
keywords: Coating; Cobalt chromium; Corrosion; Dissolution; Joint replacement; Mass loss; Silicon nitride