A nano-structured TiO2/CuO/Cu2O coating on Ti-Cu alloy with dual function of antibacterial ability and osteogenic activity. (20th January 2022) - Zhang, Yuan
Highlights: A TiO2 /CuO/Cu2 O composite coating with nanostructure was deposited on Ti-Cu alloy by alkali-heat treatment. TiO2 /CuO/Cu2 O coating exhibited strong antibacterial ability against S. aureus . TiO2 /CuO/Cu2 O coating promoted initial adhesion and spreading of MC3T3-E1 cells, as well as osteogenic differentiation. Abstract: Bacteria-associated infection and poor osseointegration are two main reasons for orthopedic implant failure. Ti-Cu alloy exhibited excellent antibacterial property, but still presented unsatisfied osteogenic activities. Therefore, Ti-Cu alloy was surface modified by an alkali-heat treatment in this paper to improve the osteogenic ability without reduction in antibacterial ability. A TiO2 /CuO/Cu2 O composite coating with nanostructure was deposited on Ti-Cu alloy. The coating showed increased roughness and great hydrophilicity. Antibacterial tests indicated that the modified Ti-Cu alloy exhibited stronger antibacterial ability against Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) than Ti-Cu alloy. Meanwhile, cell experiments demonstrated that the composite coating promoted initial adhesion and spreading of MC3T3-E1 cells, enhanced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) mineralization, and significantly upregulated osteogenesis-related gene expressions. It was suggested that the nano-structured TiO2 /CuO/Cu2 O coating on Ti-Cu alloy might provide a potential strategy for orthopedic implant failure. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract