Development and validation of TiO2: Agthin films to eradicate antibiotic resistant biofilms. (2016) - Pradheeba, P.
Abstract: Biofilm, the regulated complex behavior of bacteria pose serious threat to medical device associated infections and resist the action of antibacterial agents. Also, researchers have evidenced the chemical and physical properties of the non-biological surfaces that enhance the matrix-enclosed microbial accretions on them. In this context, it is a need of an hour to improve the non-adhesive nature of the medical devices against the adherence of microbial populations. So, in our present study, we have developed biocompatible coatings with TiO2 -Ag thin film on stainless steel substrate (SS 304L) using DC reactive magnetron sputtering and Ag is doped by thermal evaporation technique. The XRD result indicates the formation of anatase TiO2 films. FE-SEM micrograph showed the uniform deposition of nano-sized Ag and TiO2 particles. Annealed TiO2 film showed hydrophobic property and TiO2 -Ag films showed hydrophilic property. Further, the improved material, TiO2 -Ag thin films were also tested for its antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties. The data revealed significant reduction of bacterial counts and impairment of Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) biofilm in TiO2 -Ag thin films when compared to SS 304L. Our results provide an insight onto a new perspective for the wide application of these thin film coatings on surgical tools, implant materials etc.