Infection Free Titanium Alloys by Stabile Thiol Based Nanocoating

As biomedical materials, titanium and titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V) are superior to many materials in terms of mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, they are still not sufficient for prolonged clinical use because the biocompatibility of these materials must be improved. In this study, the prevention of the attachment of test microorganism on the Ti alloy surfaces by thiol (-SH) and hydroxyl (-OH) functional group containing monomer in plasma based electron beam generator was reported in order to prepare anti-fouling surfaces. The precursor, 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid is used as plasma source to create nano-film with 30-60 nm approximately. The surface chemistry and topology of uncoated and coated samples are characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Static contact angle measurements are performed to state the change of surface hydrophilicity. All coated samples are tested in-vitro environment with Staphylococcus epidermidis that is chosen as the test bacteria strain in view of its significance for the pathogenesis of medical-device-related infections. This test is repeated after certain period of times and samples are waited in dynamic fluid media in order to investigate the stability of nano-coating. Plasma polymerized 11-mercaptounclecanoic acid film (PP MUA) with 42 +/- 4 nm is found alternative, stabile and simple method to create bacterial anti-fouling surfaces. The static contact angle of the coated surface is 34 +/- 8 degrees whereas the uncoated surface is 57 +/- 5 degrees. For the coated surface, the presence of C-OH and C=O groups in infrared spectra defining the PP MUA is achieved by the plasma polymerization. The attachment of the model microorganism on the biomaterial surface prepared by PP MUA is reduced 85.3% if compared to unmodified control surface.