Effect of titanium alkoxide on structure, morphology, and biocompatible properties of sol-gel synthesized TiO2 films

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study the influence of the nature of titanium alkoxide, used as a precursor for the synthesis of TiO2 films by the sol-gel method, on the crystal structure and morphology of coatings, as well as their biological compatibility. TiO2 coatings were synthesized on silicon substrates using the dip-coating method. Titanium alkoxides with different molecular weights were used as precursors: titanium tetraethoxide, titanium tetraisopropoxide, and titanium tetrabutoxide. The influence of the nature of the titanium precursor on the morphology and thickness of TiO2 films was determined using scanning electron microscopy. The structural properties of the coatings were studied by X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Cell viability assay was performed on TiO2/Cu-Si(111) structures to evaluate the ability of TiO2 coatings synthesized from different precursors to prevent the release of toxic ions from the substrate. The biological compatibility of TiO2 films with various surface morphologies and structures was assessed based on the chorioallantoic membrane assay. It has been demonstrated that the type of titanium alkoxide utilized has a substantial influence on the morphology and crystal structure of TiO2 films produced through the sol-gel method. Furthermore, the structural properties of the coatings consequently impact their biological compatibility. Coatings synthesized from titanium tetrabutoxide exhibited the highest protective properties and biological compatibility.