Ag+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ion-induced in vitro antibacterial activity of Ag-, Cu-, and Zn-doped coatings deposited by plasma electrolytic oxidation, anodization and cathodic electrodeposition on 3D-printed Ti6Al4V implantsстатья
Статья опубликована в высокорейтинговом журнале
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Дата последнего поиска статьи во внешних источниках: 23 января 2026 г.
Аннотация:Developing efficient and reliable technology for modifying the orthopedic implant surface to impart antibacterial properties is crucial for reducing the risk of implantation-associated infection. For the first time, Ag+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ ion release kinetics and antibacterial activity of Ag-, Cu-, and Zn-containing coatings deposited on 3D-printed Ti6Al4V alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO), anodization (ANO) and cathodic electrodeposition (CD) were compared against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 29213 using different in vitro models (application of a bacterial suspension droplet to the sample surface, biofilm formation (SEM analysis andquantification of S. aureus biofilm by crystal violet staining), and planktonic growth) in a nutrient medium and physiological solution (PS, 0.9 % NaCl). A separate sample group was tested in PS against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) K261 and Candida albicans (C. albicans) C324/23. After 24 h, concentration of released ions was 0.07–0.31 ppm (Ag+), 0.3–0.41 ppm (Cu2+), and 0.58–0.62 ppm (Zn2+), and in order of increasing bactericidal effect, the ions can be arranged as Zn2+ < Cu2+ < Ag+, with the effective Ag+ concentration being almost an order of magnitude lower than those of Zn2+ and Cu2+. For Ag-containing samples, S. aureus was completely inactivated in PS within 3 h, while a 99.0 % reduction (2-log) was achieved in nutrient medium. After 24 h, effects ranged from complete growth inhibition to a 99.0–99.9999 % reduction. Ag-containing coatings also completely inactivated E. coli K261 and C. albicans C324/23 after 3 h at initial cell concentrations in PS of 108 and 106 CFU/mL, respectively. The results of various in vitro models are discussed considering the testing environment (nutrient medium or physiological solution) and possible in vivo conditions of occurrence of surgery-related and postoperative infections. The use of PEO, ANO and CD methods for depositing bactericidal coating is a promising approach that does not require expensive equipment, is easily scalable and can be integrated into the production chain of orthopedic implants for personalized medicine.