A review on Ag-Ta₂O₅ Bio-interfaces: Multifunctional coatings for antibacterial and biocompatible surgical tools

BackgroundConventional surgical instruments made from Stainless steel (SS), Titanium (Ti), and Tantalum (Ta) are widely utilized because of their excellent corrosion resistance and strength-to-weight ratio. However, these materials lack antibacterial properties, which could increase the risk of surgical site infections. Recent advancements in antimicrobial and biocompatible coatings, particularly Ag-Ta₂O₅ (Silver-Tantalum Pentoxide), present better solutions for new surgical instrument design. Despite numerous studies published on this topic, a comprehensive review specifically addressing Ag-Ta₂O₅ coatings remains absent, resulting in fragmented information across the literature. Systematizing this information and consolidating the developments in this field are beneficial, and this is the motivation behind this review.ObjectiveFor these reasons, this review examines the development and applications of these advanced coatings, with a focus on their antimicrobial and biocompatible properties.MethodsWe critically examine the technological challenges, innovative coating methodologies, and the comparative advantages of Ag-Ta₂O₅ over traditional and hybrid coatings.ResultsFurthermore, this review identifies future research directions and proposes strategic collaborations among clinicians, engineers, policymakers, and materials scientists to expedite the clinical adoption of these coatings.ConclusionIt is envisioned that this review paper will serve as a valuable source of information for engineers, researchers, and clinicians to stay current with the latest developments in this area and for new researchers to initiate their exploration of coating technology.