Fabrication of Microporous Coatings on Titanium Implants with Improved Mechanical, Antibacterial, and Cell-Interactive Properties

Abstract

The success of an orthopedic implant therapy depends on successful bone integration and the prevention of microbial infections. In this work, plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was performed to deposit TiO 2 coatings enriched with Ca, P and Ag on titanium to improve its surface properties and antibacterial efficacy while maintaining normal biological functions and thus to enhance the performance of orthopedic implants. After PEO treatment, the surface of Ti was converted to anatase and rutile TiO 2 , hydroxyapatite and calcium titanate phases. The presence of these crystalline phases was further increased with an increased Ag content in the coatings. The developed coatings also exhibited a more porous morphology with an improved surface wettability, roughness, microhardness and frictional coefficient. In vitro antibacterial assays indicated that the Ag doped coatings can significantly prevent the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli by releasing Ag + ions and the ability to prevent these bacteria was enhanced by increasing the Ag content in the coatings resulting in a maximal 6-log reduction of E. coli and a maximal 5-log reduction of S. aureus after 24 hours of incubation. Moreover, the in vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of the coatings exhibited that the osteoblast (MC3T3) cell integration on the PEO-based coatings were greatly improved compared to untreated Ti and no notable impact on their cytocompatibility was observed on increasing the amount of Ag in the coating. In conclusion, the coating with favorable physico-chemical and mechanical properties along with controlled silver ion release can offer an excellent antibacterial performance and osteocompatibility and can thus become a prospective coating strategy to face current challenges in orthopedics.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Coating of Dental Implants—Past and New Perspectives

“…Titanium implants are susceptible to bacterial adhesion ( Figure 1 B) depending on the implant surface [ 12 ]. In order to prevent bacterial colonization, the titanium surface may be treated by adding materials or agents in the form of coatings ( Figure 1 A) [ 11 ].…”

Biofunctionalization of 3D Printed Porous Tantalum Using a Vancomycin–Carboxymethyl Chitosan Composite Coating to Improve Osteogenesis and Antibiofilm Properties

“…22 Once PJI occurs, it will greatly hinder the normal bone repair process or even directly lead to the failure of bone repair events. 23 How to improve the antibacterial ability of porous tantalum to achieve its further clinical promotion and application has become a hot topic at present. By changing the composition, structure, and morphology of the material surface, the biocompatibility of materials can be improved and specific biological functions can be obtained.…”

“…It gets hard to remove bacteria colonized in porous structures completely through systemic antibiotics in clinical treatment . Once PJI occurs, it will greatly hinder the normal bone repair process or even directly lead to the failure of bone repair events . How to improve the antibacterial ability of porous tantalum to achieve its further clinical promotion and application has become a hot topic at present.…”

Effect of electrochemical oxidation and drug loading on the antibacterial properties and cell biocompatibility of titanium substrates

“…Consequently, treatment with antibiotics has become a vital issue 19 . Since bacteria and osteoblast cells are in competition for attachment, implants having antibacterial surface characteristics can decrease bacterial attachment and colony formation so they can be used for treating bone defects 20 , 21 . Advanced biomaterials equipped with sustained and localized release of antibacterial agents could promote the healing/regeneration process of tissues which are more susceptible to bacterial infections (e.g.…”