Dicationic Imidazolium-Based Ionic Liquid Coatings on Zirconia Surfaces: Physico-Chemical and Biological Characterization

Abstract

In the present work, dicationic imidazolium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were investigated as multi-functional coatings on a zirconia (ZrO2) surface to prevent biofilm formation and enhance the wear performance of zirconia while maintaining the material’s compatibility with host cells. ILs containing phenylalanine and methionine were synthesized and deposited on zirconia. Intermolecular interactions driving IL deposition on zirconia were studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Anti-biofilm activity and cell compatibility were evaluated in vitro after one and seven days, and wear performance was tested using a pin-on-disk apparatus. ILs were observed to form strong hydrogen bonds with zirconia. IL containing phenylalanine formed a stable film on the surface after one and seven days in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and artificial saliva and showed excellent anti-biofilm properties against Streptococcus salivarius and Streptococcus sanguinis. Compatibility with gingival fibroblasts and pre-osteoblasts was maintained, and conditions for growth and differentiation were preserved. A significantly lower coefficient of friction and wear volume loss were observed for IL-coated surfaces as compared to non-coated substrates. Overall, zirconia is an emerging alternative to titanium in dental implants systems, and this study provides additional evidence of the materials’ behavior and IL coatings as a potential surface treatment technology for improvement of its properties.

Microstructural and Dynamical Heterogeneities in Ionic Liquids

“…Furthermore, there are some sporadic experimental and computational investigations on absorption of ILs on various metal oxide surfaces including CeO 2 , , ZnO, , VO 2 , , SrTiO 3 , , CoO/Co 3 O 4 , FeO, , ZrO 2 , and even on some metal sulfide surfaces, like GeS 2 and MoS 2 . , These studies illustrated that delicate intermolecular interactions between IL ions and metal oxide surfaces and acidity of the metal oxide surfaces have a significant effect on short- and long-term thermal stabilities of supported ILs. A detailed elucidation of these interactions offers new opportunities for rational design of materials, such as solid catalysts on supported IL layers for heterogeneous catalysis and supported IL membranes for gas separation.…”

“…If alignment of the band levels is satisfactory, different ILs that yield similar band shifts can be employed to improve other aspects for peculiar applications, such as compatibilities of electrolytes with dye molecules, redox mediators, and solar cell sealing materials. 945 Furthermore, there are some sporadic experimental and computational investigations on absorption of ILs on various metal oxide surfaces including CeO 2 , 946,947 ZnO, 948,949 VO 2 , 950,951 SrTiO 3 , 952,953 CoO/Co 3 O 4 , 954 FeO, 955,956 ZrO 2 , 957 and even on some metal sulfide surfaces, like GeS 2 958 and MoS 2 . 959,960 These studies illustrated that delicate intermolecular interactions between IL ions and metal oxide surfaces and acidity of the metal oxide surfaces have a significant effect on short-and long-term thermal stabilities of supported ILs.…”

Exogenous Protein Delivery of Ionic Liquid-Mediated HMGB1 Coating on Titanium Implants

“…Regarding coating development, it is hypothesized that IonLs with amino acid-based anions can temporarily anchor the HMGB1 onto the Ti surface. IonL films were selected due to their multifunctionality, stability, , in vitro cell compatibility, and in vivo tissue interactions . The goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive molecular-level understanding of how dicationic imidazolium-based ionic liquid coatings interact with exogenous HMGB1 protein to result in an effective surface treatment for bone-implantable Ti devices.…”

Side Effects of Dental Metal Implants: Impact on Human Health (Metal as a Risk Factor of Implantologic Treatment)

“…Another method of decreasing the risk of bacterial adhesion is to develop new materials or to improve the surface of implanted medical devices so that they do not attract potential biofilm pathogens [15, 16]. Multifunctional coatings on a zirconia surface [22], a nanostructured titanium surface [23], and controlled antibiotic release may play a significant role in achieving this goal [15].…”