Titanium alloy (TiAl6V4) surfaces were treated with ultraviolet (UV) radiation to remove organic "contamination" molecules which remained on the surfaces after conventional cleaning processes. The UV-technique simultaneously revealed reactive surface hydroxyl groups at the metal surface which were monitored by the reaction with perfluorooctanoylchloride and application of Fourier-Transform infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy and contact angle measurements, respectively. Two different cellulose polymers each made soluble in methanol by functionalized hydroxylalkyl-spacer groups and their mixtures were deposited on UV-treated TiAl6V4 surfaces. Atomic force microscopy measurements could reveal polymer films which covered the metal surfaces completely without defects. Differences were indicated in the surface structure, especially between the pure cellulose phosphate films and cinnamate containing cellulose films. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.