Abstract for presentation at Chemeca 2007

Corrosion of orthopaedic implants in human body, made of metal alloys, is a major problem affecting the life of these patients. In most cases, metal oxide nanoparticles are released as the effect of wear in hip joints, where the particles are dispersed in the fluid body. This paper presents the results of an attempt to apply the process of electro-phoretic deposition to separate colloidal nanoparticles of Co-Cr-Mo dispersed in water and in serum. The colloidal nanoparticles have been produced in a simulation machine as the result of wear of metal on metal using moving artificial hip joints. The main objectives of the work are to characterise the stable conditions for each sample by obtaining zeta potential and size distribution of the particles as a function of pH of the system as well as to investigate the effect of electric field strength on rate and yield of separation of the nanoparticles. The results reveal that applying an electric field to the colloidal suspension contained in a cell between two parallel electrodes, it is possible to aggregate the particles on an electrode. However, the rate and yield of deposition are varied depending on the electric field strength and type of colloidal solutions. During the process some gases are released on the electrodes due to the electrolysis of water. More investigation needs to be done to prevent the latter problem and to characterise the possible side effects of the process on human before expanding the research to the clinical stage.