Antibacterial property alterations induced by low zinc content in laser-structured brass

• Published in: Applied surface science Vol. 665; p. 160338
• Main Authors: Ahmed, Aisha Saddiqa, Müller, Daniel Wyn, Bruyère, Stéphanie, Holtsch, Anne, Müller, Frank, Brix, Kristina, Migot, Sylvie, Kautenburger, Ralf, Jacobs, Karin, Pierson, Jean–François, Mücklich, Frank
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 30.08.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Bacteria-substrate contact; Brass; Condensed Matter; Escherichia coli; Femtosecond pulsed direct laser interference patterning; Materials Science; Nanoscale modification; Physics; HAZ; PBS; CuZn15; Brass; Nanoscale modification; Escherichia coli; Antibacterial; STEM-EDS; CFU; Bacteria-substrate contact; FWHM; SEM; XPS; Femtosecond pulsed direct laser interference patterning; CLSM; GI-XRD; TEM; E. coli; Femtosecond pulsed direct laser interference; patterning
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.160338

[Display omitted] •Ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning (USP-DLIP) used for precise periodic structures on brass surfaces.•Chemical modification observed as oxide phases, particularly zinc oxide, in both superficial and subsurface layers, indicating nanoscale alterations.•Insights into bacteria-modified brass surface interaction including formation of nano agglomerates on bacterial cell membranes.•Enhanced antibacterial activity linked to increased bacteria-substrate contact and Cu-ion release. Brass, along with other copper-based alloys, exhibits advantageous antibacterial properties that can be further enhanced by altering the surface topography to increase bacterial adhesion. This enhancement is achievable through a higher contact area created by precise periodic structures, each approximately the size of a single bacterial cell. One method for generating these structures is ultrashort pulsed direct laser interference patterning (USP-DLIP). However, this process may induce chemical alterations in addition to topographical changes, depending on the substrate’s composition. To mitigate unfavorable chemical alterations, brass with a 15% zinc content was selected for this study. The antibacterial effectiveness of the modified surfaces was tested against Escherichia coli, providing initial insights into the interaction between bacteria and the substrate. The results indicate that modified brass with a 15% zinc content shows improved antibacterial activity. Overall, this research demonstrates that by modifying a surface with the appropriate chemical composition, effective bacterial elimination through contact can be achieved.