Effects of surface roughening on antibacterial and osteogenic properties of Ti-Cu alloys with different Cu contents

In order to reduce implant-related infections and improve early osseointegration, we performed HF+ anodic oxidation on the surface of the new antibacterial Ti-Cu alloy to make the titanium-based implants have a micro/submicron structure. On this basis, a series of surface-modified Ti-xCu alloys with different Cu contents (3, 5 and 7 wt%) were fabricated and a comprehensive study was conducted on MC3T3-E1 cell adhesion, proliferation, apoptosis and its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Results showed that the Ti-xCu alloys by HF etching + anodized possessed multifunctional characteristics of antibiofilm and antibacterial abilities, excellent biocompatibility and osteogenesis promoting abilities. Increment of Cu content significantly contributed to the antibacterial and osteogenic properties of HF etching + anodized Ti-Cu alloys. Cell proliferation rates of HF etching + anodized Ti-7Cu alloys were lower than those of Ti-3Cu and Ti-5Cu alloys, while the early cell apoptosis rates were higher than Ti-3Cu and Ti5Cu groups. All the above results finally presented that the HF etching + anodized Ti-5Cu alloy exhibited extremely strong antibacterial properties, good biological compatibility and osteogenic ability, as well as the most excellent ductility and corrosion resistance, providing a great potential application for the future dental implantation. (C) 2021 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

Automated summary

The study demonstrated that Ti-xCu alloys treated with HF etching + anodization exhibit excellent antibacterial and osteogenic properties. Increasing Cu content contributes to enhanced antibacterial and osteogenic performance, although high Cu content alloys show lower cell proliferation rates and higher early cell apoptosis rates.