Ag- and Sr-enriched nanofibrous titanium phosphate phases as potential antimicrobial cement and coating for a biomedical alloy

Biomaterials and their surfaces regulate the biological response and ultimately the quality of healing at a possible site of implantation. The physical, chemical and topographical properties of implants' surfaces play a decisive role in the biological integration process for their immediate loading and long-term success. Since at this level of biological interaction nano-dimensionality is basically entailed, bio-functional nanostructured composites either as filling/cement or coating to metallic implants are required. This study shows the possibility of synthesizing two phases of nanostructured titanium phosphate (pi and rho polymorphs) and enriching them with silver nanoparticles and strontium. More importantly, Ag-Sr-enriched nanostructured pi-titanium phosphate is induced to grow on a commercially available titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), widely used in orthopedic and dental implants, under highly controlled conditions. Structural and microscopic studies, using XRD, HRTEM and SEM altogether confirm the resultant phases and their enrichment with strontium and silver nanoparticles with an average particle size around 6 nm. Using confocal laser scanning microscopy, the surface roughness was measured and is found to lay at the interface between the nanosized and microsized topologies. Ion release assessments showed that the presence of strontium controlled the release rate of silver ions and this could be beneficial in terms of decreasing the accompanied cytotoxicity that is usually encountered at high concentrations of silver release. Antimicrobial and cell proliferation assays have proved that enriching titanium phosphate with strontium and silver nanoparticles has improved their antimicrobial properties, while the cytotoxicity could be controlled.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates the synthesis of nanostructured titanium phosphate enriched with silver nanoparticles and strontium, and their growth on a commercially available titanium alloy. The presence of strontium was found to control the release rate of silver ions, improving antimicrobial properties while reducing cytotoxicity. Structural and microscopic studies confirmed the phases and enrichment, showing potential for enhanced biological integration of implants.