title: Microstructure, surface characterization and long-term stability of new quaternary Ti-Zr-Ta-Ag alloy for implant use.
abstract: The novel Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy was characterised concerning its microstructure, morphology, mechanical properties, its passive film composition and thickness, its long-term electrochemical stability, corrosion resistance, ion release rate in Ringer solution of acid, neutral and alkaline pH values and antibacterial activity. The new alloy has a crystalline α microstructure (by XRD). Long-term XPS and SEM analyses show the thickening of the passive film and the deposition of hydroxyapatite in neutral and alkaline Ringer solution. The values of the electrochemical parameters confirm the over time stability of the new alloy passive film. All corrosion parameters have very favourable values in time which attest a high resistance to corrosion. Impedance spectra evinced a bi-layered passive film formed by the barrier, insulating layer and the porous layer. The monitoring of the open circuit potentials indicated the stability of the protective layers and their thickening in time. The new alloy releases (by ICP-MS measurements) very low quantities of Ti, Zr, Ag ions and no Ta ions. The new alloy exhibits a low antibacterial activity.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vasilescu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Osiceanu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: J M Calderon
authors.initials: JMC
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania. Electronic address: sidrob.icf@gmail.com.
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Drob
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Preda
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Popa
authors.affiliation: Research and Development SRL, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dan
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prodana
authors.affiliation: University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Carol Davila", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Popovici
authors.affiliation: Department of General Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ionita
authors.affiliation: Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu", Bucharest, Romania.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vasilescu
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000737:chemistry*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012834:Silver; D015040:Zirconium; D014025:Titanium
keywords: Corrosion; EIS; Microstructure (XRD, SEM, EDS); Ti-20Zr-5Ta-2Ag alloy; XPS