Electrodeposition of Zn and Cu Nanoparticles into TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanotubes on Ti6Al4V: Antimicrobial Effect against <i>S. Epidermidis</i> and Cytotoxicity Assessment

oleh: Bruno Ribeiro, Ruben Offoiach, Claudia Monteiro, Miguel R. G. Morais, M. Cristina L. Martins, Ana Paula Pêgo, Elisa Salatin, Lorenzo Fedrizzi, Maria Lekka

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2024-02-01

Deskripsi

Surface modification of the Ti6Al4V alloy (ASTM grade 5), with the fabrication of vertically oriented TiO<sub>2</sub> nanotubes, has been receiving increasing attention both as a way to provide advanced bioactive features and the ability to act as reservoirs for a localized, controlled drug release. In this work, TiO<sub>2</sub> nanotubes were grown on the surface of a Ti6Al4V alloy through electrochemical anodization. An ethylene glycol-based electrolyte containing 0.5 wt.% NH<sub>4</sub>F and 2.5% (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) H<sub>2</sub>O was used. Post-anodizing heat treatments at 500 °C in air atmosphere were performed to achieve a crystalline oxide layer with a higher mechanical stability. Following these treatments, Zn or Cu nanoparticles were incorporated into the nanotubular structures through electrodeposition processes. Then, the antimicrobial performance of the obtained surfaces was assessed against <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i>, a Gram-positive bacterium common in implant-related infections. Lastly, the cytotoxicity of the produced surface was evaluated against MC3T3-E1 mouse pre-osteoblast cells. In general, Cu-doped TiO<sub>2</sub> nanotubes presented an almost total antimicrobial action, while Zn doped samples had a lower, but still significant antibacterial effect. However, a highly cytotoxic effect against MC3T3-E1 cells was observed on all anodized samples due to the release of vanadium from the alloy. In spite of this, the surface modification reported in this work can be a valid solution for existing commercially available orthopedic implants, considering that similar solutions were already studied in <i>in vivo</i> assays.