Electrochemical deposition of biocompatible nano-coatings

Osseointegration is the process by which an artificial implant forms a stable and long‑lasting structural bond with healing bone. Without successful osseointegration, implants remain unstable foreign bodies prone to micromovements, which can cause pain and ultimately lead to implant failure. Current surface‑modification strategies rely on depositing biocompatible calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings that promote biomineralization and enhance early bone attachment. However, the commonly used plasma‑based deposition methods have intrinsic limitations in controlling the thickness, composition, and homogeneity of CaP layers, which restricts their suitability for today’s increasingly complex implant designs.

At imec, we investigate electrochemically induced deposition (ECiD), a process in which material formation on a surface is triggered by chemical reactions driven by an applied electrical potential. ECiD offers an alternative route to deposit CaP coatings onto metallic substrates, including medical implants. By locally increasing the pH near the surface, acidic precursor solutions containing calcium and phosphate ions can be induced to precipitate as solid CaP. This mild and controllable approach enables the formation of a range of biocompatible CaP phases, from crystalline hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH) to amorphous calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂).

In this project, you will develop and characterize new nanostructured CaP coatings produced via ECiD, tuning both the electrochemical parameters and the chemistry of the precursor solutions. Characterization will involve techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, microscopy, and X‑ray diffraction. You will explore how to tailor key textural features—including coating thickness and surface roughness—as well as assess the coatings’ in‑vitro biomineralization response.