Surface Hydrophilicity and Antifungal Properties of TiO₂ Films Coated on a Co-Cr Substrate

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to deposit a thin layer of TiO2 on a Co-Cr substrate, serving as a deactivation film protecting the metallic fitting surface. The crystalline structure and surface morphology of the film were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A scratch tester was used to examine the adhesion strength between the TiO2 film and the Co-Cr substrate. The water contact angles and antifungal efficacy against C. albicans of the TiO2-deposited Co-Cr samples were investigated and further compared with those of uncoated Co-Cr substrates. The results indicated that a pure anatase microstructure and dense and smooth surface texture as well as strong binding to the underlying metallic surface were obtained. The originally hydrophobic Co-Cr alloy surface turned hydrophilic after TiO2 film coating. Most importantly, the TiO2-coated surface showed a superior antifungal capability under UV-irradiation compared to those without TiO2 coating. This work contains meaningful results for the development of a new metallic framework coating with improved hydrophilicity and antifungal properties.

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Prospects and Applications in Medicine

“…Huang et al prepared Co-Cr alloy, on which they deposited a thin layer of TiO 2 . Several tests under UV-irradiation revealed that the prepared material exhibited significant antifungal activity and that it can be considered in the future against denture stomatitis [101].…”

Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles – Prospects and Applications in Medicine

“…Huang et al prepared Co-Cr alloy, on which they deposited a thin layer of TiO2. Several tests under UV-irradiation revealed that the prepared material exhibits significant antifungal activity and that it can be considered in the future against denture stomatitis [105].…”

Metal Oxide Nanoparticles as Biomedical Materials

“…The antifungal properties increased with increasing the content of ZnO NPs in the polymer. Similarly, a thin layer of nanostructured TiO 2 film of the surface of Co-Cr alloy revealed significant antifungal activity under UV-irradiation which can be considered in the future against denture stomatitis [124]. Nanotechnology offers enhanced effectiveness of already available technologies since it will be cost and time saving whilepreventing the patient from adverse side effects.…”