Electrochemically Deposited Calcium Phosphate Coatings Using a Potentiostat of In-house Design and Implementation

Abstract

The effect of growth conditions and post treatments on the properties of calcium phosphate films electrodeposited by a potentiostat of the authors’ design and construction is presented. The electrolyte used was formed with 0.025 M (NH₄)H₂PO₄ and 0.042 M Ca(NO₃)₂.4H₂O, and its pH was kept at 5. A voltametric analysis was performed to determine the necessary potential values to obtain the films. Additionally, the temperature of the electrolyte was varied to determine its influence on the properties of the deposited films. The films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The films deposited at -1.4 V and -1.7 V present the brushite phase. The thermal post-treatment favored the formation of octagonal calcium phosphate in amorphous phase, while the basic treatment provided the OH- groups necessary for the formation of hydroxyapatite. The low cost potentiostat implemented presents excellent characteristics for obtaining films with similar characteristics to those obtained with a conventional potentiostat.

Keywords:
Calcium phosphate; electrodeposition; potentiostat; basic treatment; thermal treatment