Abstract
In this study, ZnHAp layers deposited on a Si substrate were obtained by a sol–gel spin-coating procedure. The ZnHAp solutions used to obtain the ZnHAp coatings were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis, ζ-potential, ultrasound measurements, and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). The average measured hydrodynamic diameter from the DLS analysis, ζ-potential, and ultrasound measurements were analyzed so as to characterize and estimate the stability of the ZnHAp nanoparticles. The AAS results confirmed the presence of zinc in the gels used in the preparation of the ZnHAp layers. The layers were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD results revealed the diffraction peaks of the hexagonal hydroxyapatite in all of the investigated samples. The morphology of the ZnHAp coatings annealed at 500 °C (ZnHAp-500) and 700 °C (ZnHAp-700), which evidenced that no fissures or cracks formed on the surface of the coatings. The biocompatibility assays indicated that the ZnHAp coatings did not present any toxicity towards the HeLa cells. Furthermore, the study regarding the cytotoxicity of the ZnHAp layers against microorganisms emphasized that ZnHAp coatings exhibited an inhibitory effect towards S. aureus bacterial cells and also towards C. albicans fungal cells.
Highlights
Nowadays, the constant and rapid progress registered in the area of technology and engineering has created tremendous opportunities for modern medicine, by creating the premise of developing new and enhanced materials with outstanding properties that could greatly contribute to the improvement of a patient’s life quality [1,2,3]
If in the dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies and zeta potential the final gel was diluted 10 times, the ultrasound measurements allowed for the study of ZnHAp nanoparticles in the final concentrated solution obtained from the sol–gel synthesis method
In agreement with previous studies conducted by Egelhaaf et al [50], DLS can be used to characterize the hydrodynamic diameter distribution in the range of some hundreds of nm
Summary
The constant and rapid progress registered in the area of technology and engineering has created tremendous opportunities for modern medicine, by creating the premise of developing new and enhanced materials with outstanding properties that could greatly contribute to the improvement of a patient’s life quality [1,2,3]. Even with the constant new developments, there are still difficulties to overcome for some issues in the biomedical field, as a result of medical devices, which could lead to post operatory complications [4] These days, one of the most distressing complications that could appear after surgery is considered the apparition of a post operatory infection [5,6]. Because of the development of bacterial infections, implantable devices are often removed from patients using many costly procedures, which are uncomfortable and even dangerous for the patient [14] Considering these factors, there has been an increased effort directed towards the development of new materials capable of mimicking the composition and structure of bone, exhibiting antimicrobial properties [15,16,17].
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