Predominant surface property of an anodized titanium that enhances the cell response

The aim of this study is to evaluate the predominant material property that enhances the biocompatibility of an anodized titanium (Ti) implant. A Ti surface was anodized in an H₃PO₄ electrolyte with various voltages. Then, the cell responses involving attachment, proliferation, and differentiation were evaluated. Anodization using various voltages formed TiO₂ layers with various surface morphologies. All the anodized surfaces showed enhanced cell responses; however, the performance differences depending on the surface morphologies were minimal. In addition, enhanced cell responses were not observed on the thermally oxidized Ti surface, although a TiO₂ layer was formed; therefore, the beneficial effect was derived from the TiO₂ layer fabricated via anodization. Based on these findings, the topmost surface structure of the TiO₂ layer predominantly influenced the cell behaviors because this property governed the important surface functions, such as hydrophilicity.