Deposition, structure, physical and invitro characteristics of Ag-doped β-Ca3(PO4)2/chitosan hybrid composite coatings on Titanium metal

Pure and five silver-doped (0-5Ag) beta-tricalcium phosphate [beta-TCP, beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2)]/chitosan composite coatings were deposited on Titanium (Ti) substrates and their properties that are relevant for applications in hard tissue replacements were assessed. Silver, beta-TCP and chitosan were combined to profit from their salient and complementary antibacterial and biocompatible features. The beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2) powders were synthesized by co-precipitation. The characterization results confirmed the Ag+ occupancy at the crystal lattice of beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2). The Ag-doped beta-Ca-3(PO4)(2)/chitosan composite coatings deposited by electrophoresis showed good antibacterial activity and exhibited negative cytotoxic effects towards the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63. The morphology of the coatings was observed by SEM and their efficiency against corrosion of metallic substrates was determined through potentiodynamic polarization tests. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.