Preparation of Titanium Alloys through Molten Salt Electrolysis of Solid Oxides for Medical Implants

A simple, cost-efficient, energy-saving, electrochemical process is developed to synthesize the biomedical Ti-based metal-containing Group VB (V, Nb, Ta) implant materials in the small size at 900 degrees C. The anhydrous CaCl2 and solid oxides were used as the salt melt medium and raw reactants, respectively. The mechanism of the reduction process was discussed by constant cell voltage electrolysis of different time periods. The as-prepared samples, such as Ti-12.5Zr-2.5Nb-2.5Ta, were characterized by SEM, EDX, elemental and biological analysis (including cell compatibility test, etc.). Because of the green synthesis, non-toxicity, and good biocompatibility, Ti-12.5Zr-2.5Nb-2.5Ta exhibited promise for medical implant materials.