Improved osteoblast compatibility of medical-grade polyetheretherketone using arc ionplated rutile/anatase titanium dioxide films for spinal implants

Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), known to exhibit good biocompatibility, is applied in this study as a thin film formed onto polyetheretherketone (PEEK) substrate, which has been widely used in spinal interbody fusion cages. For successful deposition, an arc ionplating (AIP) technique was applied to deposit TiO 2 at low deposition temperature without damaging PEEK substrate, while providing satisfactory film adhesion. This study systematically...