Amir Reza Moeinian

Bachelor student

Fabrication and characterization of antibacterial and bioactive composite coatings on titanium by electrophoretic deposition

 

Supervisor: Zoya Hadzhieva, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Functionalizing the surface properties of metallic implants is important, especially for improving their osseointegration capability and antibacterial activity [1]. Recent strategies in this regard focus on the application of composite coatings that mimic the organic and inorganic components of living bone tissue and provide long-term antimicrobial therapy [2]. Therefore, this project aims to develop composite coatings based on the natural protein zein on titanium substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). In order to impart bioactive and antibacterial properties, copper-doped bioactive glass particles will be incorporated in the polymer matrix [2]. In addition, different chemical or/and physical pre-treatments will be investigated to achieve suitable adhesion strength and homogeneity of the subsequently deposited composite layers. Finally, the developed multicomponent coating systems will be analyzed in terms of their morphological characteristics, chemical composition, bactericidal activity and mechanical properties.

[1] C. L. Romanò, et al., Antibacterial coating of implants: are we missing something? Bone Joint Res, 8, 2019, 199-206.

[2] N. Meyer, et al., Bioactive and Antibacterial Coatings Based on Zein/Bioactive Glass Composites by Electrophoretic Deposition, Coatings, 8, 2018, 27.