Antibacterial and bioactive nanostructured titanium surfaces for bone integration

• Published in: Applied surface science 2014-08, Vol.311, p.279-291
• Main Authors: Ferraris, S., Venturello, A., Miola, M., Cochis, A., Rimondini, L., Spriano, S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Antiinfectives and antibacterials; Bacteria; Bioactive; Bones; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Dental materials; Exact sciences and technology; Nano-silver; Nanostructure; Nanotexture; Physics; Silver base alloys; Surface chemistry; Ti6Al4V; Titanium; Titanium base alloys
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2014.05.056

•A new patented treatment was applied to pure titanium (Ti-cp) and Ti6Al4V alloy.•The treatment produces a nanotextured oxide layer embedded with silver nanoparticles.•Treated Ti-cp and Ti6Al4V are bioactive (in vitro precipitation of apatite).•Silver is gradually released in water, from modified surfaces, up to 15 days.•Treated Ti-cp and Ti6Al4V are effectively antibacterial against S. aureus. An effective and physiological bone integration and absence of bacterial infection are essential for a successful orthopaedic or dental implant. A titanium surface able to actively promote bone bonding and avoid microbial colonization represents an extremely interesting challenge for these purposes. An innovative and patented surface treatment focused on these issues is described in the present paper. It is based on acid etching and subsequent controlled oxidation in hydrogen peroxide, enriched with silver ions. It has been applied to commercially pure titanium (Ti-cp) and alloy Ti6Al4V. The chemistry and morphology of the surfaces are modified by the treatment on a nanoscale: they show a thin oxide layer with porosity on the nanoscale and silver particles (few nanometers in diameter), embedded in it. These features are effective in order to obtain antibacterial and bioactive titanium surfaces.