Abstract
Electrophoretic deposition process (EPD) was successfully used for obtaining graphene (Gr)-reinforced composite coating based on hydroxyapatite (HAP), chitosan (CS), and antibiotic gentamicin (Gent), from aqueous suspension. The deposition process was performed as a single step process at a constant voltage (5 V, deposition time 12 min) on pure titanium foils. The influence of graphene was examined through detailed physicochemical and biological characterization. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, Raman, and X-ray photoelectron analyses confirmed the formation of composite HAP/CS/Gr and HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coatings on Ti. Obtained coatings had porous, uniform, fracture-free surfaces, suggesting strong interfacial interaction between HAP, CS, and Gr. Large specific area of graphene enabled strong bonding with chitosan, acting as nanofiller throughout the polymer matrix. Gentamicin addition strongly improved the antibacterial activity of HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating that was confirmed by antibacterial activity kinetics in suspension and agar diffusion testing, while results indicated more pronounced antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus (bactericidal, viable cells number reduction >3 logarithmic units) compared to Escherichia coli (bacteriostatic, <3 logarithmic units). MTT assay indicated low cytotoxicity (75% cell viability) against MRC-5 and L929 (70% cell viability) tested cell lines, indicating good biocompatibility of HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating. Therefore, electrodeposited HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating on Ti can be considered as a prospective material for bone tissue engineering as a hard tissue implant.
Highlights
Titanium and its alloys are preferred biomaterials for hip, knee and joint replacements
In general, the main advantages of Electrophoretic deposition process (EPD) technique are: (a) the ability to produce coatings on metal surfaces of complex shapes, (b) the cleanliness of the process without the use of potentially toxic chemicals, producing biocompatible materials that are safe for medical use, and (c) coating fabrication at room temperature, which is of particular importance for drug and biologically active molecules processing
Since the gentamicin is water-soluble, deposition of HAP/CS/Gr/Gent coating on titanium surface was performed from aqueous solution in a single step, i.e co-precipitation from a four-component aqueous suspension has occurred
Summary
Titanium and its alloys are preferred biomaterials for hip, knee and joint replacements. Gentamicin, a water-soluble aminoglycoside antibiotic, is known to have very potent antibacterial activity for the treatment of wide range of infections, caused by both Gram-negative and Grampositive bacteria.[18,36,37]
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