A coating containing copper oxide/cuprous oxide (CuO/Cu2O) nanoparticles with excellent antimicrobial properties was synthesized on the surface of an aluminum alloy substrate by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technology. This study focuses on the impact of incorporating CuO nanoparticles on the coating's composition, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial efficacy. EDS and XPS analyses confirmed that the primary components of the coating are Al2O3 and Cu2O/CuO, with the Cu element predominantly located in the micropores and microcracks of the coating. The inclusion of CuO nanoparticles significantly increased the coating's thickness, hardness, and densification while reducing surface roughness. Electrochemical tests and antimicrobial experiments demonstrated that the PEO coating with added CuO nanoparticles exhibited excellent corrosion resistance, with an antimicrobial rate against Staphylococcus aureus reaching 99.06 %, compared to 45.12 % for the ordinary PEO coating. The study also investigated the effects of key process parameters (positive voltage, negative voltage, duty cycle, and CuO nanoparticle concentration) on the coating's antimicrobial rate, identifying optimal parameters for maximum antimicrobial performance. Studies have shown that the incorporation of CuO nanoparticles effectively enhances the overall performance of PEO coatings, particularly in terms of antibacterial and corrosion resistance. The process parameters mainly influence the antimicrobial properties of the coating by affecting the state and content of Cu. This coating shows promising application prospects in medical devices, such as orthopedic external fixation frames, microsurgical instruments, and prosthetic devices.
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