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In this paper, the influence of material composition on structure and surface properties of bioactive coatings based on Cu and Ti is described. Nanocrystalline coatings were prepared by innovative pulsed DC magnetron sputtering. For their preparation, a multi-magnetron system was used in order to obtain films with various copper content. The main goal of our work was the complex analysis of biological activity of Cu-Ti films in comparison with their material composition and surface state. Antimicrobial activity (for E. coli and S. aureus), as well as the impact on cell viability (L929 line), were investigated. The physicochemical properties were examined with the aid of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. It was found that all prepared films were nanocrystalline and bactericidal, but their cytotoxicity was related to the Cu-content in the film. Complex analysis of the bioactivity was developed in relation to the copper ion migration process. Moreover, manufacturing of antibacterial films with stimulating action on L929 cell line was possible.

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This paper describes the effect of a nanocrystalline thin film based on copper and titanium on mouse fibroblast cells. Cu–Ti coatings were prepared using magnetron sputtering. In their composition was 25 at.% Cu and 75 at.% Ti. The goal of the study was to evaluate the effect of the material on the survival, migration, and proliferative capabilities of mouse L929 fibroblasts. The Cu25Ti75 material had no effect on the induction of cell death and did not disturb the cell cycle phase. The study showed a unique effect of a Cu25Ti75 thin film on mouse fibroblast cells, and the results concerning mitochondrial activity, cell proliferation, and migration proved that the material is nontoxic and shows proliferative properties in a wound healing test. The possible biomedical applications of the new nanocrystalline thin film biomaterial with multifunctional properties are described.

The biological and photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 and TiO 2 :Cu in relation to their structure, surface topography, wettability and optical properties of the thin films was investigated. Thin-film coatings were prepared by magnetron sputtering method in oxygen plasma with use of metallic targets (Ti and Ti-Cu). The results of structural studies revealed that addition of Cu into titania matrix (during the deposition process) resulted in obtaining of an amorphous film, while in case of undoped TiO 2 , presence of nanocrystalline anatase (with crystallites size of 20 nm) was found. Moreover, an addition of cooper had also an effect on surface diversification and decrease of its hydrophilicity. The roughness of TiO 2 :Cu film was 25 % lower (0.6 nm) as-compared to titania (0.8 nm). These modifications of TiO 2 :Cu had an impact on the decrease of its photocatalytic activity, probably as a result of the active surface area decrease. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of the thin films against bacteria (Enterococcus hirae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli) and yeast (Candida albicans) were also examined. For the purpose of this work the method dedicated for the evaluation of antimicrobial properties of thin films was developed. It was revealed that Cu-additive has a positive impact on neutralization of microorganisms.

In this work the physicochemical and biological properties of nanocrystalline TiO 2 thin fi lms were investigated. Thin fi lms were prepared by magnetron sputtering method. Their properties were examined by X-ray diffraction, photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, optical transmission method and optical profi ler. Moreover, surface wettability and scratch resistance were determined. It was found that as-deposited coatings were nanocrystalline and had TiO 2 -anatase structure, built from crystallites in size of 24 nm. The surface of the fi lms was homogenous, composed of closely packed grains and hydrophilic. Due to nanocrystalline structure thin fi lms exhibited good scratch resistance. The results were correlated to the biological activity (in vitro) of thin fi lms. Morphological changes of mouse fi broblasts (L929 cell line) after contact with the surface of TiO 2 fi lms were evaluated with the use of a contrast-phase microscope, while their viability was tested by MTT colorimetric assay. The viability of cell line upon contact with the surface of nanocrystalline TiO 2 fi lm was comparable to the control sample. L929 cells had homogenous cytoplasm and were forming a confl uent monofi lm, while lysis and inhibition of cell growth was not observed. Moreover, the viability in contact with surface of examined fi lms was high. This confi rms non-cytotoxic effect of TiO 2 fi lm surface on mouse fi broblasts.