Influence of chitosan on the antibacterial activity of composite coating (PEEK /HAp) fabricated by electrophoretic deposition

This study was focused on the effect of chitosan (CH) as a biopolymer for the antibacterial activity and structural characteristics of Polyethetherketone-Nanohydroxyapatite composite coating. Pure Hydroxyapatite and composites with three percentage (5, 10 and 20%) of Polyetheretherketone have been deposited on stainless steel 316 L substrates by using electrophoretic deposition technique from ethanol suspensions with presence of chitosan. The stability of the suspensions and the electrostatic interaction among the three types of particles have been measured by zeta potential. The deposited coatings were microstructurally evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The antibacterial activity test was performed using (N. agar and diffusion methods) against two kinds of bacteria E.coli and S. aureus. SEM photographs showed densified, free cracks composite coating with no need for the sintering treatment. The presence of chitosan played a vital role in the converted the EPD system from hot to cold and acted as a binder between the deposited micro polytheretherketone and Nanohydroxyapatite particles, finally it enhanced the antibacterial effect of the HAp-CH-PEEK systems deposited against tested microorganisms.