Electrochemical corrosion behavior of α-titanium alloys in simulated biological environments (comparative study)

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely utilized in orthopedic and dental applications due to their favorable mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Notably, titanium exhibits excellent corrosion resistance and can form a stable oxide layer, ensuring the longevity and functionality of implants in challenging physiological environments. This study investigates the corrosion behavior of α-Ti alloy in physiological saline solutions, emphasizing the role of key biomolecules found in the human body, including albumin, glycine, and glucose, as well as additional substances such as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and hydroxyapatite (Hap). A comprehensive suite of techniques—namely, open-circuit potential measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM)—was employed to assess the effects of these biomolecules on corrosion behavior. The findings indicate that, unlike H₂O₂ and Hap, the biomolecules studied significantly enhance the corrosion resistance of the α-Ti alloy in simulated physiological environments. H₂O₂, due to its strong oxidative properties, accelerates corrosion, while Hap induces ion release that adversely affects the alloy's stability. The observed improvement in corrosion resistance is attributed to the formation of a stable passive layer on the alloy's surface. Notably, this study presents the first long-term electrochemical and immersion tests conducted at 310 K, elucidating the effects of bovine serum albumin (BSA), H₂O₂, glycine, glucose, and Hap on the corrosion performance of the α-Ti alloy.