Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of TiCu(Ag) thin films produced by physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering

Saqib Rashid, Gian Marco Vita, Luca Persichetti, Giovanna Iucci, Chiara Battocchio, Rostislav Daniel, Daniela Visaggio, Martina Marsotto, Paolo Visca, Edoardo Bemporad, Paolo Ascenzi, Giovanni Capellini, Marco Sebastiani, Alessandra di Masi

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftArtikelForschungBegutachtung

Abstract

Mechanical robustness, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance are key features for materials suitable to be used in tissue engineering applications. In this work, we investigated the link existing between structural and functional properties of TiCu(Ag) thin films deposited by physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering (MS-PVD) on Si substrates. Thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The TiCu(Ag) films showed complete amorphous structure and improved mechanical properties in comparison with pure Ti films. However, for contents in excess of 20% Ag we observed the appearance of nanometric Ag crystallite. The TiCu(Ag) thin films displayed excellent biocompatibility properties, allowing adhesion and proliferation of the human fibroblasts MRC-5 cell line. Moreover, all the investigated TiCu(Ag) alloys display bactericidal properties, preventing the growth of both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Results obtained from biological tests have been correlated to the surface structure and microstructure of films. The excellent biocompatibility and bactericidal properties of these multifunctional thin films opens to their use in tissue engineering applications.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Aufsatznummer151604
Seitenumfang12
FachzeitschriftApplied surface science
Jahrgang573.2022
Ausgabenummer30 January
Frühes Online-Datum14 Okt. 2021
DOIs
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - 30 Jan. 2022

Bibliographische Notiz

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the grant “Piano straordinario di sviluppo della ricerca di Ateneo – Azione 4” from Roma Tre University to P. A. The Grant of Excellence Departments, MIUR (ARTICOLO 1, COMMI 314 – 337 LEGGE 232/2016) to the Department of Science, University Roma Tre is also gratefully acknowledged. Moreover, the Authors acknowledge the European Commission for support through the H2020 project OYSTER, g.a. n. 760827.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Elsevier B.V.

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