Effect of Electrochemically Structured Titanium Alloys on Cell Morphology

Ti alloys are commonly used as dental and orthopaedic implants. It has been shown that surface topography can influence cell genesis, behaviour and growth. In this work we have electropolished and micro-patterned Ti-6Al-4V alloy to study the effect of surface topography on cell morphology. Electroetching was carried out in a flat cell under galvanostatic polarisation of 5.0 V and 9.0 V vs. SCE, using a 3.0 M H2SO4 - methanol electrolyte. Electropolishing conditions were achieved when the overpotential was 9.0 V. Micropatterning of Ti alloy substrates was carried out at the same potentials by etching through mask; a methanol stable SU-8 photoresist was used for this purpose. Human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded and grown on these substrates. It was found that surface nano and micro scale topography influenced cell numbers and morphology, respectively.