Antibacterial properties of nanostructured Cu-TiO2 surfaces for dental implants

Biomater Sci. 2017 Feb 28;5(3):455-462. doi: 10.1039/c6bm00868b.

Abstract

The influence of copper derived TiO2 surfaces (nCu-nT-TiO2) on the death of nosocomial Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) and Escherichia coli (Ec), was investigated. TiO2 nanotube (nT-TiO2) arrays were fabricated by anodic oxidation of pure titanium sheets in fluorhydric solutions, leading to surface nanostructuration and creation of specific reactive sites. Copper nanocubes with a mean size of 20 nm have been synthesized and deposited on the nT-TiO2 surface by pulsed electrodeposition from a copper sulphate solution. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) reveals that Cu nanocubes are both inserted into the TiO2 nanotubes and on the nanotube edges. X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS) and SEM-EDX confirm the metallic nature of copper nanoparticles, covered with a thin mixed CuO-Cu2O thin layer. As the adsorption of proteins is one of the early stages of biomaterial surface interactions with body fluids before bacterial colonization, Infrared Spectroscopy (IR) in reflection-absorption mode, SEM and XPS have been used to follow the evolution of nCu-nT-TiO2 surfaces when exposed to a simulated plasma solution containing Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA). Finally bacterial tests have revealed a high biocide potential of the nCu-nT-TiO2 surface, which leads to the entire death of SA and EC.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials / pharmacology
  • Copper / chemistry
  • Copper / pharmacology*
  • Dental Implants / microbiology*
  • Dental Materials / chemistry
  • Dental Materials / pharmacology*
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli Infections / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Nanostructures* / chemistry
  • Nanostructures* / ultrastructure
  • Staphylococcal Infections / prevention & control
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Titanium / chemistry
  • Titanium / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Dental Implants
  • Dental Materials
  • titanium dioxide
  • Copper
  • Titanium