Sol–gel titania coating on NiTi alloy with a porous titania film as interlayer

Porous titania film is prepared by alkali treatment of NiTi alloy followed by soaking treatment in HCl solution. The benefit of this porous titania film as an interlayer to improve adhesion and integrity of the sol–gel titania coating on NiTi alloy substrate is evidenced by surface morphological observations. X-ray diffraction analyses indicate the formation of Ni 4 Ti 3 phase in the matrix during heat treatment of the NiTi samples. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that the titania coating with two dip-coating layers has completely covered the NaOH–HCl treated NiTi substrate, and potentiodynamic polarization tests show that this titania coating provides good protection for the treated NiTi substrate in 0.9% NaCl solution. Ultraviolet illumination can increase surface hydrophilicity of the NiTi samples by reducing contact angles from 60–80° to 20–10°.