Surface Modification of Brass via Ultrashort Pulsed Direct Laser Interference Patterning and Its Effect on Bacteria-Substrate Interaction

• Published in: ACS applied materials & interfaces Vol. 15; no. 30; pp. 36908 - 36921
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Aisha Saddiqa, Müller, Daniel Wyn, Bruyere, Stephanie, Holtsch, Anne, Müller, Frank, Barrirero, Jenifer, Brix, Kristina, Migot, Sylvie, Kautenburger, Ralf, Jacobs, Karin, Pierson, Jean-François, Mücklich, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States American Chemical Society 02.08.2023; Washington, D.C. : American Chemical Society
• Subjects: Alloys - chemistry; Alloys - pharmacology; Anti-Bacterial Agents - chemistry; Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Bacteria; Chemical Sciences; Copper - chemistry; Copper - pharmacology; Escherichia coli; Humans; Lasers; Material chemistry; Surface Properties; Surfaces, Interfaces, and Applications; Zinc - chemistry; Zinc - pharmacology; nanoscale heat-affected zone; nanoscale chemical modification; antibacterial; brass; femtosecond pulse duration; copper oxides; ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning; zinc oxide; ultrashort pulsed direct laser patterning
• ISSN: 1944-8244; 1944-8252
• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c04801

In recent decades, antibiotic resistance has become a crucial challenge for human health. One potential solution to this problem is the use of antibacterial surfaces, i.e., copper and copper alloys. This study investigates the antibacterial properties of brass that underwent topographic surface functionalization via ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning. Periodic line-like patterns in the scale range of single bacterial cells were created on brass with a 37% zinc content to enhance the contact area for rod-shaped Escherichia coli (E. coli). Although the topography facilitates attachment of bacteria to the surface, reduced killing rates for E. coli are observed. In parallel, a high-resolution methodical approach was employed to explore the impact of laser-induced topographical and chemical modifications on the antibacterial properties. The findings reveal the underlying role of the chemical modification concerning the antimicrobial efficiency of the Cu-based alloy within the superficial layers of a few hundred nanometers. Overall, this study provides valuable insight into the effect of alloy composition on targeted laser processing for antimicrobial Cu-surfaces, which facilitates the thorough development and optimization of the process concerning antimicrobial applications.