Niobium oxide was prepared using sol-gel process and coated on 316L stainless steel (SS) substrate via dip-coating technique. The surface characterization results after a thermal treatment revealed that the coated surface was porous, uniform and well crystalline on the substrate. The corrosion resistance and bioactivity of the porous niobium oxide coated 316L SS in simulated body fluid (SBF) solution was evaluated. The in vitro test revealed a layer of carbonate-containing apatite formation over the coated porous surface. The results indicated that the porous niobium oxide coated 316L SS exhibited a high corrosion resistance and an enhanced biocompatibility in SBF solution. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.