New insights into the corrosion of orthopedic Ti-6Al-4V under cathodic polarization

Title: New insights into the corrosion of orthopedic Ti-6Al-4V under cathodic polarization

Corresponding Authors: Agata Sotniczuk agata.sotniczuk@ncbj.gov.pl (A. Sotniczuk) ORCID: 0000-0002-3468-0468

and kevin.ogle@chimieparistech.psl.eu (K. Ogle) ORCID: 0000-0002-1453-7082

Abstract: This study offers a real-time monitoring of titanium dissolution in H₂O₂-enriched phosphate buffer solution (PBS) during polarization of Ti-6Al-4V at cathodic potentials using atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry (AESEC). Polarization had a deleterious effect on titanium dissolution when it was conducted at potentials between −0.5 V and −1 V. AESEC results demonstrate a non-linear and time-dependent relation between titanium dissolution and applied potential. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM) and (TEM) observations revealed that the vanadium-rich (β) phase is more sensitive to polarization-induced corrosion, which continues during subsequent Ti-6Al-4V exposure at open circuit potential.

Acknowledgments: This research was funded in whole by National Science Centre, Poland within Sonatina 7 grant [2023/48/C/ST11/00085]. For the purpose of Open Access, the author has applied a CC-BY public copyright licence to any Author Accepted Manuscript (AAM) version arising from this submission.