Thrombocompatibility of sol-gel titanium dioxide coatings deposited on stainless steel substrate

Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) can be used as protective and biocompatible coatings. Properties of these coatings strongly depend on a method and conditions of the deposition process. The aim of this study was to investigate the contact of whole blood with sol-gel TiO₂ films deposited on stainless steel (316L) substrates by the dip–coating method and treated at different temperatures. The TiO₂ films were annealed at temperatures in the range of 300–800°C. Different structures of TiO₂ (amorphous, anatase and rutile) were obtained. Samples were characterised in regard to morphology, thickness, roughness, wettability and phase composition. An in vitro cell adhesion and cytofluorymetry tests were also performed to characterise the quantity and morphology of adhered blood platelets and platelet activation and aggregation in the blood samples after contact with the studied surfaces.

The TiO₂ sol-gel coating annealed at 800°C (rutile) showed better thrombocompatibility in comparison with other studied coatings.