Nanostructured surface changes of Ti-35Ta-xZr alloys with changes in anodization factors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of the nanostructured surface of Ti-35Ta-xZr alloys for dental application resulting from changes in anodization factors. TiO₂ nanotubes were formed on Ti-35Ta-xZr alloys by anodization in H₃PO₄-containing NaF solutions. Anodization was carried out using a scanning potentiostat. Microstructures of the alloys were examined by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Microstructures of the Ti-35Ta-xZr alloys were changed from α" phase to β phase, and morphologies changed from a needle-like to an equiaxed structure, with increasing Zr content. As the Zr content increased from 3 to 7 to 15 wt.%, the average thickness of the TiO₂ nanotubes increased from 4.5 μm to 6.1 μm to 9.0 μm. When the anodizing potential was increased from 3 V to 10 V, the thickness of the nanotube layers increased from about 0.5 μm to 9.5 μm. As the anodization time increased from 30 min to 180 min at 10 V, the nanotube thickness increased from 4 μm to 9.5 μm. The amorphous oxide phase in the nanotubes transformed to anatase and rutile phases of TiO₂ by heat treatment above 300 °C.