title: Achieving surface chemical and morphologic alterations on tantalum by plasma electrolytic oxidation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Search for materials that may either replace titanium dental implants or constitute an alternative as a new dental implant material has been widely studied. As well, the search for optimum biocompatible metal surfaces remains crucial. So, the aim of this work is to develop an oxidized surface layer on tantalum using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) similar to those existing on oral implants been marketed today.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cleaned tantalum samples were divided into group 1 (control) and groups 2, 3, and 4 (treated by PEO for 1, 3, and 5 min, respectively). An electrolytic solution diluted in 1-L deionized water was used for the anodizing process. Then, samples were washed with anhydrous ethyl alcohol and dried in the open air. For complete anodic treatment disposal, the samples were immersed in acetone altogether, taken to the ultrasonic tank for 10 min, washed again in distilled water, and finally air-dried. For the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, all samples were previously coated with gold; the salt deposition analysis was conducted with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system integrated with the SEM unit.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SEM images confirmed the changes on tantalum strips surface according to different exposure times while EDS analysis confirmed increased salt deposition as exposure time to the anodizing process also increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEO was able to produce both surface alteration and salt deposition on tantalum strips similar to those existing on oral implants been marketed today.
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Implantology Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Prédio 06, Partenon, CEP: 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marcelo Augusto Pinto Cardoso
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Goularte
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department, Universidade Luterana do Brasil - Torres (ULBRA-TORRES), Rua Universitária, 1900, Parque do Balonismo, CEP 95560-000, Torres, RS, Brazil. gfraibar@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Gustavo Frainer
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Engineering, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho, UNESP, Av. 3 de março, 511, Alto da Boa Vista, CEP: 18087-180, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Nilson Cristino
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: da Cruz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Materials, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Prédio 06, Partenon, CEP: 90619-900, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana Mayumi
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hirakata
keywords: Biomaterials; Implant surface treatment; Plasma electrolytic oxidation; Tantalum