Electrosprayed calcium silicate nanoparticle-coated titanium implant with improved antibacterial activity and...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Orthopedic Implants

Background:

• Implant integration and infection prevention are crucial for clinical success.
• Titanium implants require enhanced antibacterial and osteogenic properties.
• Calcium silicate coatings offer potential for improved implant performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an antibacterial and bioactive nanostructured calcium silicate (CaSi) coating on titanium substrates.
• To optimize CaSi coating properties through annealing for improved bonding strength.
• To evaluate the osteogenic and antibacterial efficacy of the modified titanium implants.

Main Methods:

• Electrospray deposition of CaSi layer on titanium substrate.
• Annealing of CaSi coatings at 700, 750, and 800 °C.
• Characterization of phase composition, microstructure, and bonding strength.
• Assessment of antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus.
• Evaluation of osteogenic activity using human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).

Main Results:

• As-prepared CaSi coating consisted of β-dicalcium silicate nanoparticles (~300 nm).
• Annealing increased the oxidation layer thickness from 0.3 μm to 1 μm.
• The 750 °C-annealed coating exhibited a bonding strength of 19.0 MPa, exceeding the ISO standard.
• The 750 °C-annealed coating demonstrated superior antibacterial and osteogenic activity compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• Annealing at 750 °C optimizes the nanostructured CaSi coating on titanium.
• The modified implant shows enhanced bond strength, crucial for osseointegration.
• The CaSi-coated titanium implant possesses significant antibacterial and osteogenic potential for clinical applications.