SrTiO3 nanotube films with good adhesion strengths to Ti substrates were fabricated by using a hybrid approach with a modified anodization and a hydrothermal treatment(HT). The effect of Sr2+ concentration in HT solutions on the morphologies and phase components of the nanotubes were investigated,the SrTiO3 nanotubes formation mechanism was explored, and the adhesion strengths, hydrophilicity and apatite-forming ability of the SrTiO3 nanotubes were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that with increasing the incorporation of Sr2+ into the nanotubes, no obvious changes of the lengths and outer diameters of the nanotubes were observed, but the wall thickness and the crystallinity of SrTiO3 in the nanotubes increased. The accumulation of Sr at the inner tube wall indicated that the reaction of Sr2+ with TiO2 mainly occurred in the vicinity of internal surfaces of the closely arranged nanotubes. The formation of the SrTiO3 nanotubes could be attributed to an in situ dissolution–recrystallization process.The Sr TiO3 nanotubes exhibited good hydrophilicity and bioactivity, and the induced apatite preferred to nucleate on the nanotubes with higher crystallinity and Sr content, indicating a good bio-adaptability of the SrTiO3 nanotubes for orthopedic application.
SrTiO3 nanotube films with good adhesion strengths to Ti substrates were fabricated by using a hybrid approach with a modified anodization and a hydrothermal treatment (HT). The effect of Sr^2+ concentration in HT solutions on the morphologies and phase components of the nanotubes were investigated, the SrTiO3 nanotubes formation mechanism was explored, and the adhesion strengths, hydrophilicity and apatite-forming ability of the SrTiO3 nanotubes were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that with increasing the incorporation of Sr^2+ into the nanotubes, no obvious changes of the lengths and outer diameters of the nanotubes were observed, but the wall thickness and the crystallinity of SrTiO3 in the nanotubes increased. The accumulation of Sr at the inner tube wall indicated that the reaction of Sr^2+ with TiO2 mainly occurred in the vicinity of internal surfaces of the closely arranged nanotubes. The formation of the SrTiO3 nanotubes could be attributed to an in situ dissolution-recrystallization process. The SrTiO3 nanotubes exhibited good hydrophilicity and bioactivity, and the induced apatite preferred to nucleate on the nanotubes with higher crystallinity and Sr content, indicating a good hio-adaptability of the SrTiO3 nanotubes for orthopedic application.