A Review: Effects of Electrophoretic Deposition Parameters on Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Composite Coatings

To increase the bone bioactivity of the metallic implants, ceramic oxide reinforced coatings are often deposited on implant surfaces. Various ceramic oxides such as hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, titanium oxide, aluminium oxide, iron oxide and zirconium oxide are used for producing a real bond with the surrounding bone tissues. Among these bioactive materials, hydroxyapatite (HAp) has proved to be a promising candidate of highly reactive material. It helps to increase the bioactivity of the implant surface and possesses similar chemical, structural and biological properties to that of human bone. It will reduce metallic ion release and promoting bone-bonding ability. This review encompasses the effects of electrophoretic deposition (EPD) parameters including voltage, deposition time, dispersion medium, particles concentration, post EPD treatments and gap between electrodes on the performance of HAp reinforced composite coatings. The parameters are discussed based on the up-to-date comprehensive overview of the current research progress in the field of EPD coated HAp composite coatings for biomedical applications.