Micro structured Ti- scaffold decorated with Tantalum based amphiphilic assembly for improved biocompatibility, corrosion resistance and bactericidal characteristics

Abstract

Fouling of body implants is inevitable as they stay in contact with body fluid of harsh ionic composition with varying pH, mixed with serum proteins and bacteria. Some alloys used as implant material comes with inherent bacterial resistant character or in other case the use of antibacterial coating is a popular measure to check the biofouling of their surfaces. But the development of bacterial resistant coating which don’t compromise the cytocompatibility of implant is still a challenging task. In this research, a novel antibacterial metallosurfactant bishexadecyltrimethylammoniumtantalum heptachloride (TaC) is synthesized to coat Ti-6Al-4V surface which provides excellent replacement to pure Tantalum which is a highly demanded implant material. For this, Ti-6Al-4V surface was acid treated to grow microstructures and porosity to help covalent bonding with TaC molecules and get durable and robust coating. The TaC coating was characterized as highly stable, hydrophilic, bioactive (assist osseointegration), antimicrobial against Gram negative (E. coli) and Gram positive (S. aureus), anti- corrosive in abiotic as well as biotic medium and compatible with fibroblast tissues. Being amphiphilic in nature, the coating interferes with serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on Ti-6Al-4V surface. Retardation in BSA adsorption due to TaC coating is evident from contact angle, XPS and electro chemical studies. The key appeal of coating is its simple fabrication technique and cost-effectiveness, moreover its chemical and structural features is such that it promotes fibroblast adhesion and viability. The coating exhibited a perfect balance to cater the antibiofouling activity and fibroblast proliferation which is biggest challenge in fabrication of biomaterials. Various results obtained from this comprehensive study may advocate the clinical applications of Ta metallosurfactant coating on biomedical alloys.