Comparison between hydroxyapatite/soapstone and hydroxyapatite/reduced graphene oxide composite coatings: Synthesis and property improvement

Economic viability and eco-friendliness are important characteristics that make implants available to the population in a sustainable way. In this work, we evaluate the performance of a low-cost, widely available, and eco-friendly material (talc from soapstone) relative to reduced graphene oxide as reinforcement to brittle hydroxyapatite coatings. We employ a low-cost and straightforward technique, electrodeposition, to deposit the composite coatings on the titanium substrate. Corrosion, wear, and biocompatibility tests indicate that the reduced graphene oxide can be effectively replaced by talc without reducing the mechanical, anticorrosion, and biocompatible composite coatings properties. Our results indicate that talc from soapstone is a promising material for biomedical applications. [Display omitted] •We have employed a simple and cheap technique to produce biocomposite coatings.•HA/talc and HA/rGO coatings present improved mechanical properties.•HA/talc and HA/rGO coatings are biocompatible and induce bone maturation.•RGO can be successfully replaced by the low-cost talc from soapstone.