The use of implantable cardiovascular devices has increased in recent years and the need to improve the efficiency of these devices is at its pinnacle. Titanium and its alloys are...
Micro/nano scale surface modifications of titanium based orthopedic and cardiovascular implants has shown to augment biocompatibility. However, bacterial infection remains a serious concern for implant failure, aggravated by increasing antibiotic resistance and over usage of antibiotics. Bacteria cell adhesion on implant surface leads to colonization and biofilm formation resulting in morbidity and mortality. Hence, there is a need to develop new implant surfaces with high antibacterial properties. Recent developments have shown that superhydrophobic surfaces prevent protein and bacteria cell adhesion. In this study, a thermochemical treatment was used modify the surface properties for high efficacy antibacterial activity on titanium surface. The modification led to a micro‐nano surface topography and upon modification with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silane the surfaces were superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic, respectively. The modified surfaces were characterized for morphology, wettability, chemistry, corrosion resistance and surface charge. The antibacterial capability was characterized with Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by evaluating the bacteria cell inhibition, adhesion kinetics, and biofilm formation. The results indicated that the superhydrophobic micro‐nano structured titanium surface reduced bacteria cell adhesion significantly (>90%) and prevented biofilm formation compared to the unmodified titanium surface after 24 h of incubation.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.