Ternary Ti alloys functionalised with antibacterial activity.
L Bolzoni1, M Alqattan2, L Peters2
1The University of Waikato, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand. bolzoni.leandro@gmail.com.
Scientific Reports
|December 18, 2020
Summary
New titanium (Ti) alloys with copper (Cu) and manganese (Mn) show strong antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli. These functionalized Ti alloys are promising for developing new prostheses that resist bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Engineering
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Prosthetic joint infections are a significant clinical challenge, leading to inflammation, impaired healing, and implant failure.
- Current strategies include coatings or developing multifunctional materials with both structural and antibacterial properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and manufacture functionalized titanium (Ti) alloys with enhanced antibacterial capabilities.
- To evaluate the mechanical properties and antibacterial activity of novel ternary Ti-xCu-yMn alloys.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a cost-effective press and sinter powder metallurgy route for alloy fabrication.
- Systematically analyzed ternary Ti-xCu-yMn alloys with varying compositions.
- Assessed mechanical properties and antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli.
Main Results:
- Mechanical properties of Ti-xCu-yMn alloys increased proportionally with alloying element content.
- All tested ternary Ti-xCu-yMn alloys exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli compared to pure Ti.
- The press and sinter method proved effective for producing these functionalized alloys.
Conclusions:
- Ternary Ti-xCu-yMn alloys demonstrate a promising combination of mechanical strength and antibacterial functionality.
- These alloys are suitable candidates for developing next-generation structural prostheses with built-in infection resistance.
