Preparation, characterization, and biocompatibility of different metal oxide/PEG-based hybrid coating synthesized by sol–gel dip coating method for surface modification of titanium

•The study presents a novel biocompatible hybrid coating on medical titanium.•The modified titanium showed low cytotoxicity.•The sol gel dip coating method effectively modified titanium surface.•The experimental process followed a rigorous method.•The study provided references for future experimental studies. The aim of the study was to synthesized organic-inorganic experimental nanocomposite materials via sol–gel dip coating and to characterized its biological response. The sols consist of an inorganic–organic matrix based on ZrO2, TiO2, Li+ and polyethylene glycol (PEG). The obtained hybrid-coated titanium samples have been characterized using atomic force microscope (AFM), Scanning Electronic Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX). Biocompatibility of the hybrid coatings was evaluated by cytotoxicity tests. AFM analysis detailed that the obtained materials were rough nanostructured hybrids. SEM results presented covered surfaces and the presence of particles with different sizes and formats. The EDX data allowed to know the quantitative percentage of the elements present on the surface of the hybrid-coated titanium samples compatible with the sols composition. Cytotoxicity showed that all the hybrid-coated titanium samples had non-cytotoxic effect on target cells, having the groups that included Li+ in the surface higher cellular grown. The sol gel dipcoating method represents a viable alternative to include inorganic and organic elements on titanium and form stable hybrid layers. The modified surfaces of titanium with the experimental materials were rough, presented biocompatible elements and allowed high cellular grown.