Effects of surface roughening on antibacterial and osteogenic properties of Ti-Cu alloys with different Cu contents

Abstract

In order to reduce implant-related infections and improve early osseointegration, we performed HF+ anodic oxidation on the surface of the new antibacterial Ti-Cu alloy to make the titanium-based implants have a micro/submicron structure. On this basis, a series of surface-modified Ti-xCu alloys with different Cu contents (3, 5 and 7 wt%) were fabricated and a comprehensive study was conducted on MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis and its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed that the Ti-xCu alloys by HF etching + anodized possessed multifunctional characteristics of antibiofilm and antibacterial abilities, excellent biocompatibility and osteogenesis promoting abilities. Increment of Cu content significantly contributed to the antibacterial and osteogenic properties of HF etching + anodized Ti-Cu alloys. Cell proliferation rates of HF etching + anodized Ti-7Cu alloys were lower than those of Ti-3Cu and Ti-5Cu alloys, while the early cell apoptosis rates were higher than Ti-3Cu and Ti-5Cu groups. All the above results finally presented that the HF etching + anodized Ti-5Cu alloy exhibited extremely strong antibacterial properties, good biological compatibility and osteogenic ability, as well as the most excellent ductility and corrosion resistance, providing a great potential application for the future dental implantation.