Biomimetic Synthesis of a Strontium-Substituted Apatite Coating Grown on Ti<sub>6</sub>Al<sub>4</sub>V Substrate

In this study we explore the possibility of incorporating Sr into nano-apatite coatings prepared by a solution-derived biomimetic methodology for coating titanium based implants. The way this element is incorporated in the apatite structure and its effects on the stereochemistry and morphology of the resulting apatite layers were investigated, as well as the resulting mineralization kinetics. The presence of Sr in solution induced an inhibitory effect on mineralization, leading to a decrease in the thickness of the mineral layers. This ion was incorporated in the apatite structure through a substitution mechanism by replacing Ca in the crystal lattice. The obtained Sr-substituted biomimetic coatings are expected to enhance bone formation and osteointegration.