Implanting a Copper Ion into a TiO₂ Nanorod Array for the Investigation on the Synergistic Antibacterial Mechanism between Mechanical Cracking and Chemical Damage

Abstract

Titanium (Ti) and its alloys are extensively applied in dental and orthopedic implants due to their characteristics of good mechanical property and corrosion resistance. However, Ti and its alloys suffer from the absence of certain biological activity and antibacterial ability. Herein, we synthesized a titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanorod array on the surface of a Ti plate, and the obtained TiO 2 nanorod array was further modified by Cu ions through ion implantation technology in an attempt to endow medical Ti with an antibacterial ability and maintain a normal biological function synchronously. The antibacterial ability of the TiO 2 nanorod array with the incorporation of Cu ions was vastly improved compared with those of the unmodified TiO 2 nanorod array and pure Ti. In particular, owing to the synergy between the chemical damage of the released Cu 2+ to the cell and the mechanical cracking of the TiO 2 nanorod array, the antibacterial rate of the TiO 2 nanorod array modified by Cu ions against Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus could reach 99%. In addition, no cytotoxicity was detected in such prepared coating during the CCK-8 assay. Moreover, the corrosion resistance of the sample was significantly better than that of pure Ti. Overall, we demonstrated that the application of ion implantation technology could open up a promising pathway to design and develop further antibacterial material for the biomedical domain.

Light, Copper, Action: Visible-Light Illumination Enhances Bactericidal Activity of Copper Particles

“…Copper stands out among the metals under study, given its intrinsic biocidal properties. Recent works have applied nanoparticles of copper and its oxides in a myriad of substrates, such as fullerenol, graphene, titanium dioxide, and different polymers. − However, there are few studies that evaluate the use of pure copper microparticles as a bactericidal material. − …”

Enhancing the Biological Performance of Titanium Alloy through In Situ Modulation of the Surface Nanostructure: Near-Infrared-Responsive Antibacterial Function and Osteoinductivity

“…Currently, researchers have developed various antibiotic-free antibacterial strategies, including metal-ion antimicrobial agents, mechanical-force-based antibacterial approaches by nanomaterials, and external field-responsive antibacterial methods like photodynamic therapy (PDT), photothermal therapy (PTT), and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) . These benefit from the advantages of deep-tissue penetration, biosafety, and highly effective rapid therapeutic efficacy without inducing bacterial resistance. , PDT stands out as one of the most promising therapeutic approaches.…”

“…However, there are still issues with the application of these methods for antibacterial modification on implant surfaces. For instance, the bonding strength between the surface of the TiO 2 film and the substrate is limited, which may pose safety concerns after implantation in the human body. ,, Furthermore, these related technologies are difficult to apply to implant surfaces with complex structures.…”

Effect of Nano Nd2O3 on the Microstructure and High-Temperature Resistance of G@Ni Laser Alloying Coatings on Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

“…Titanium would easily react with oxygen in the air and then form loose and porous TiO 2 , which could exacerbate the oxidation of the alloy. Therefore, researchers have used various surface treatment techniques, including electroplating [ 4 ], chemical heat treatment [ 5 , 6 , 7 ], ion implantation [ 8 , 9 ], mechanical surface enhancement technology [ 10 , 11 ], and vapor deposition [ 12 , 13 ], to improve the properties of the surface to meet the application requirements.…”