Effect of aging treatment on the in vitro nickel release from porous oxide layers on NiTi

Despite the ability of creating porous oxide layers on nickel–titanium alloy (NiTi) surface for biofunctionalization, the use of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) has raised concerns over the possible increased levels of Ni release. Therefore, the primary aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aging in boiling water on Ni release from porous NiTi surfaces that have been formed by the PEO process. Based on different oxidation conditions, e.g. electrolyte composition and electrical parameters, three kinds of oxide layers with various characteristics were prepared on NiTi substrate. The process was followed by aging in boiling water for different durations. The Ni release was assessed by immersion tests in phosphate buffer saline and the Ni concentration was measured using the flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that aging in boiling water can significantly reduce the Ni release from oxidized porous samples, given that the duration of the treatment is finely adjusted according to the parameters of the as-formed oxide layer. Surface examination of the samples before and after aging in boiling water suggested that such a treatment is non-destructive while improving the corrosion resistance of oxidized samples, as evidenced by potentiodynamic polarization tests. The results of this study indicate that water boiling may be a suitable post-treatment required to minimize Ni release from porous oxides produced on NiTi by PEO for biomedical applications.