Development and characterization of a multilayer silver/silver-tantalum oxide thin film coating on stainless steel for biomedical applications

• Published in: International journal of adhesion and adhesives 2019-07, Vol.92, p.89-98
• Main Authors: Alias, Rodianah, Mahmoodian, Reza, Abd Shukor, Mohd Hamdi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adhesive strength; Annealing; Antibacterial thin film; Biomedical; Biomedical materials; Coatings; Hydrophobicity; Magnetron sputtering; Mechanical properties; Multilayers; Nanocomposites; Physical vapor deposition; PVD; Silver; Stainless steel; Stainless steels; Surgical instruments; Tantalum oxides; Thermal stability; Thermal treatment; Thin film coatings; Thin films
• ISSN: 0143-7496; 1879-0127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2019.04.010

Stainless steel 316L (SS 316L) is widely used in biomedical applications, particularly in surgical tools. Although this class of material has good wear and mechanical properties, it still lacks in antibacterial properties. Therefore, various surface modifications such as antibacterial coatings have been developed to enhance its properties. In this study, the surface of SS 316L was engineered with a thin multi-layer of tantalum oxide (TaO) and silver (Ag) with thickness of 4.7–6.4 μm. The thin film multilayered coatings were deposited using physical vapor deposition (PVD) magnetron sputtering. In this study, Ag/AgTa2O5 nanocomposite thin film is developed to avoid or limit bacterial adhesion on surgical tool surfaces. The as-deposited Ag/AgTa2O5 nanocomposite film were thermally treated to enhance the mechanical properties of the film. The thermal annealing of the as-sputtered thin film at 400 °C induced segregated Ag microstructure, increased the crystallinity and adhesion strength by about 152% (2916 ± 147 mN). The 400 °C annealed thin film exhibited hydrophobicity (102.5°) and thermal stability properties. The superior adhesion strength of the thermally treated film reduces and slows down delamination while in use at the rugged surgical environment.