Surface Characterization of Titanium Implants Treated in Hydrofluoric Acid

The results of XPS measurements of commercially pure titanium (cp-Ti) before and after chemical treatment are presented. We have measured XPS spectra of core levels (Ti 2p, O 1s, C 1s, F 1s) and valence bands of coarse-grained cp-Ti before and after standard acid treatment accepted in dentistry (in 1% HF and 40% HF for 1 min). It is found, that acid treatment of cp-Ti reduces the content of hydrocarbons increasing the surface energy and bio-compatibility of Ti-implants. On the other hand, it is fixed that oxygen concentration on the surface of the acid treated cp-Ti is much higher than for the untreated sample, because the acid treatment removes the contaminated surface layers, increases their reactivity, provides a better passivation and formation of thick protecting TiO2 layer.