Characterization and biological properties of copper nanoparticle-deposited calcium-based bioceramic surfaces fabricated on zirconium

Abstract

Bacterial infections are primarily one of the reasons of morbidity and mortality at worldwide. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents is a major global public health problem. In addition, antibacterial nanoparticles (NPs) are vital to overcome this problem. Thus, the aim of this study was to produce the antibacterial and bioactive copper nanoparticles (CuNPs)-deposited hydroxyapatite (HA)-based bioceramic surfaces on pure zirconium (Zr) implant materials. Initially, the Zr surface was coated with bioactive and biocompatible HA-based bioceramic surfaces by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO). Then, CuNPs were deposited by electrochemical deposition (ED) method to impart antibacterial properties to these PEO coatings. Analyses of the phase composition, coating thickness, surface morphology, surface roughness, elemental composition distribution, wetting angle, in vitro bioactivity test, and bacterial adhesion test of the surfaces were performed. The surfaces of the PEO and CuNPs coatings exhibited porous and rough structures. In addition, the surfaces were hydrophilic compared to pure Zr. The CuNPs-deposited PEO coating showed better results than pure Zr in vitro bioactive and bacterial adhesion tests.