Polarization of modified titanium and titanium–zirconium creates nano-structures while hydride formation is modulated

The majority of titanium based bone-level dental implants available on the market today feature a sand-blasted and acid-etched (SBAE) surface that contains comparably high hydrogen levels. Cathodic polarization of titanium in acidic solutions is known to further increase titanium hydride on the surface. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of cathodic reduction on titanium (Ti) and titanium–zirconium (TiZr) with a SBAE surface in order to investigate the potential of such a process for further improving surfaces for bone anchored dental implants. Samples of both materials were cathodically polarized in acidic solution at different current densities and for different process times. Chemical analysis of the hydrogen levels by SIMS showed that cathodic reduction re-arranged the hydride already present on the surfaces from the etching process but could not significantly increase hydride levels. The hydrogen layer created by the preceding hot acid etching appeared to modulate further hydride creation. Analysis of the surface topography by SEM showed changes to the nano-topography of both materials after polarization. TiZr showed homogeneously distributed nano-spheres as they were already observed for TiZr SBAE at increased size of 80–100 nm on the whole surface. By contrast, polarization of Ti created nano-nodules and nano-spheres of 150–200 nm on the surface. These spheres were interconnected to form flower-like structures along the ridges and peaks of the surface. Moreover the flanks were covered by a rippled structure of isotropically distributed small-diameter (10–20 nm) nano-nodules.