Towards Clinical Translation: Optimized Fabrication of Controlled Nanostructures on Implant-Relevant Curved Zirconium Surfaces

Abstract

Anodization enables fabrication of controlled nanotopographies on Ti implants to offer tailorable bioactivity and local therapy. However, anodization of Zr implants to fabricate ZrO ₂ nanostructures remains underexplored and are limited to the modification of easy-to-manage flat Zr foils, which do not represent the shape of clinically used implants. In this pioneering study, we report extensive optimization of various nanostructures on implant-relevant micro-rough Zr curved surfaces, bringing this technology closer to clinical translation. Further, we explore the use of sonication to remove the top nanoporous layer to reveal the underlying nanotubes. Nano-engineered Zr surfaces can be applied towards enhancing the bioactivity and therapeutic potential of conventional Zr-based implants.