Electrochemical Study and Characterization: Exploration and Analysis of Electrodeposition of Hydroxyapatite on 316L Stainless Steel in A Physiological Environment

In this study, Hydroxyapatite coatings were electrochemically deposited into 316L stainless steel to be used in biomedical applications, such as bone implants. In this regard, the current investigation was conducted on a physiologically mimicked environment to emphasize its effects on the durability and biocompatibility of the coated stainless steel. The study accentuates on three kinds of stainless-steel surfaces: Blank 316L stainless steel surface (SS-316L), Anodized surface (ANSS-316L), and Hydroxyapatite treated surface (HASS-316L). The coating surface has been done by a solution containing 0.042 mol/L of calcium nitrate tetrahydrate (Ca (NO3)24H2O) and 0.025 mol/L of orthophosphoric acid. To examine the electrochemical behavior of the three samples and determine their characteristics, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and polarization Tafel curves with electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), have been used. The outcomes demonstrate that hydroxyapatite deposited on stainless steel increases the corrosion resistance of metal implants which may enhance its durability and biocompatibility.