Synergistic antibacterial effect of graphene-coated titanium loaded with levofloxacin

In this study, graphene coating was introduced to the modified titanium surface to prevent bacterial infection in oral implants. We modified the titanium surface through SLA and silanization treatment and then coated the surface with graphene. The structure and surface properties were characterized by XPS and SEM. Graphene-coated titanium sheet was incubated with bacteria to test the antibacterial property, which was enhanced by adsorption and release of levofloxacin. We further implanted the graphene-coated titanium sheet loaded with levofloxacin into rabbits to test the antibacterial properties in vivo. The graphene coating exhibited inherent antibacterial properties through membrane stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). When loaded with levofloxacin, the graphene coating exhibited a synergistic antibacterial effect and effectively prevented bacterial infections following the implantation. The graphene coating is promising to improve the antibacterial functions of oral implant surfaces to prevent bacterial infection.