Structural, biological investigation of metal (Fe, Cu, Ag)-ceramic composites

In the present study, five composites based on metals (Ag, Fe, Cu) and ceramic; named as 0.2 Ag, 0.2 Cu, 0.2 Fe, 0.1Ag-0.1Cu, and 0.1Ag-0.1Fe were prepared by the solid-state sintering method. Two different phases of wollastonite: β-wollastonite (JCPDS No.: 01-076-0186), and α-wollastonite (JCPDS No.:00-031-0300) were identified in all composite. The in vitro bioactivity assay performed in simulated body fluid showed the bioactive behavior of all composites except one having >0.1% Ag concentration. The antibacterial activity test was performed against two pathogenic bacteria Staph. Aureus and Staph. Epidermidis using the agar well diffusion method. Results of antibacterial assays showed that all samples showed antibacterial activity except the 0.2 Fe sample. It was observed that the addition of Ag and Cu provided the inhibitory ability to composites, 0.1Ag-0.1Cu and 0.1Ag-0.1Fe composites are regarded as an optimum composite having better bioactive and antibacterial efficacy as compared to all other composites.