Effect of a Novel sputtering process on the chemical and biological properties of silver-gold alloys

Silver-gold nanocrystalline films were sputtered on HDPE substrates by a physical vapour deposition process using alloys with a nominal composition of 65% silver/35% gold or 35% silver/65% gold by weight, with comparison to a 100% silver target. Novel process conditions were introduced to include both water and oxygen as reactive gases. X-ray diffraction and chemical digests were used to assess the structure and chemical composition of the films. Log reductions and corrected zone of inhibition tests were used to measure the biological properties. Despite a range of physical and chemical properties, biological tests showed that the bactericidal properties of all silver-gold films were comparable with silver-only films in the short term and 65% silver films made with Novel sputtering conditions had comparable bacteriostatic abilities to silver-only over a 7-day period. The benefit of including gold may be seen in future studies of anti-inflammatory activity.

Automated summary

Silver-gold nanocrystalline films were prepared on HDPE substrates using a novel process, and their structure, chemical composition, and biological properties were evaluated. The results showed that, in the short term, all silver-gold films had comparable bactericidal properties to silver-only films, and 65% silver films prepared with the new process conditions had comparable bacteriostatic abilities to silver-only films over a 7-day period. The inclusion of gold may have potential benefits for anti-inflammatory activity in future studies.