In-situ growth of Ca/P salt on Ti surface induced by femtosecond lasers in hydroxyapatite suspension

Pure Ti plate surfaces are micro-ablated by femtosecond lasers in the ambience of hydroxyapatite suspension. It is found that three-stage hierarchical surface structures are produced with various laser energies. When the laser energy is 150 μJ, a lava-like structure with a distribution of nanoholes is dispersed evenly on the laser ablated surface. While in the case of 300 μ J, the grooves-and-islands micro-patterns covered with nanoparticles are generated on the surface. Remarkably, Ca/P based substances are revealed to firmly deposit on the micro-structured surfaces. More phosphate growth is seen for the higher laser energy. Discussions suggest that the additional elements deposition could be attributed to the chemical reaction of plasma related ions in the suspension and their subsequent crystallisation on the fresh surfaces of Ti plate due to the femtosecond laser ablation.