Descripció del contingut i pla d'activitats:
El treball constarà de les següents tasques.
1. Recerca bibliogràfica sobre les propietats dels materials i les seves aplicacions en relació als sistemes biològics.
2. Producció d'aliatges base titani amb diferents continguts de plata i altres elements.
3. Caracterització de l'estructura cristal·lina, estabilitat tèrmica i propietats mecàniques.
4. Valoració preliminar de les propietats biocides dels aliatges.
Les tasques experimentals es realitzaran als laboratoris del campus del Besòs de la UPC, en col·laboració entre el grup de caracterització de materials i el grup de recerca en biomaterials.
Overview (resum en anglès):
This study investigates a group of titanium-based amorphous and nanocrystalline alloys, Ti40Zr25Cu20Pd5Ag10, Ti40Zr25Cu20Pd5Fe10 and Ti40Zr25Cu20Pd5Ag5Fe5, focusing on their production methods, detailed characterization, and biocidal properties. The aim of the work is the synthesis of a biomaterial which ideally would consist in a metallic glass with an amorphous structure, resistant to tension forces and bioinert.
This research explores synthesis techniques consisting of rapid solidification by quenching the melt alloy into ribbons, trying to achieve an amorphous structure. Characterization involved examination of the microstructural features using techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDX). The response of the material to certain conditions was evaluated monitoring the behavior of the potential biomaterial under certain conditions such as mechanical stress, using a Dynamo-Mechanical Analysis (DMA) apparatus and a Tension Rheometer, and the ion release when submitted to physiological conditions using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS). In addition, the study assesses the biocompatibility of these alloys and their effectivity as a biomaterial by testing their impact on bacteria proliferation.
The findings of this research on titanium-based alloys with different Ag and Fe compositions are expected to contribute to a better understanding of titanium-based amorphous/nanocrystalline alloys and their material properties, establishing differences between compositions. Although still preliminary, the results will be of high value to the materials and biomedicine industry, and it will also give insightful perspectives for future research.