Development and Characterization of Biomedical Porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag Alloy: Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Surface Bioactivity and Cell Viability Studies

In this study, antibacterial Ag element added to synthesis of porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag (wt%) alloy using powder metallurgy space holder route. The microstructural, mechanical property, surface bioactivity and cytotoxicity behavior of porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag alloy have been investigated. The developed porous alloy obtained the porosities ranging from 22.5 to 68%. The porous sample having a porosity of about 43% is found to be in the optimum condition, which possess a modulus of about 5.8 GPa with an excellent compressive strength about 205 MPa. XRD result shows that the formation of small amount of α-Ti, β-Ti, along with α״ martensite and Ti 2 Ag are key phase constituents of sintered porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag alloys. The compression strength and elastic modulus of the sintered alloys were showed that decreased with increase of porosity. Surface bioactivity result revealed that the significant formation of hydroxyapatite on the alkali-heat treated (5 M NaOH) porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag alloy which is found after the in vitro test in SBF. Further, the cell viability test was conducted on as-synthesized porous Ti–20Nb–5Ag alloy for 1, 4, and 7 days using MG-63 human osteoblast cells and result shows an excellent cell proliferation, and the cytotoxicity test confirms the non-toxic nature of the porous alloy which is very much suitable for implant application. Graphic Abstract