Nanotubes and nano pores with chitosan construct on TiZr serving as drug reservoir

Taking into account that modified and non modified TiZr alloys have a chance as alternatives for Ti as implant materials, this paper is focused on the elaboration and characterization of TiZr hybrid nanostructures (nanopores and nanotubes) loaded with gentamicin (GS) and covered with chitosan. FT-IR analysis permitted structure and corresponding bands identification. Scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) was used for morphology analysis and nanostrucure dimensions evaluations. The surface analysis was completed with roughness measurements, contact angle determinations and surface energy evaluations. The amount of drug released in both cases was measured using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV/Vis). The in-vitro drug release profile was applied to three kinetic mathematical models (Korsmeyer-Peppas, Peppas-Sahlin and Linder-Lippold). Using the experimental data on the three simulation models, the Lindner-Lippold was found to be the best suited for the transport mechanism dominated by Fickian diffusion. It was observed that the same quantity of gentamicin (approx. 95%) will be released in 10 days from nanopores and in 21 days from nanotubes, establishing in both cases longer term release as an expression of better targeted treatment of bone and osteomyelitis.