Multifunctional homogeneous calcium phosphate coatings: Toward antibacterial and cell adhesive titanium scaffolds

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 405; p. 126557
• Main Authors: Vidal, Elia, Guillem-Marti, Jordi, Ginebra, Maria-Pau, Combes, Christèle, Rupérez, Elisa, Rodriguez, Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15.01.2021; Elsevier BV; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antibacterial; Biocompatibility; Bioengineering; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Calcium phosphate coating; Calcium phosphates; Cell adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Chlorhexidine; Chlorhexidine digluconate; Compressive strength; E coli; Engineering Sciences; Life Sciences; Materials; Mechanical properties; Microscopy; One-step pulse electrodeposition; Orthopedics; Phosphate coatings; Porosity; Scaffolds; Surgical implants; Titanium; Titanium scaffolds; Whiskers (metals); Calcium phosphate coating; One-step pulse electrodeposition; Biocompatibility; Antibacterial; Chlorhexidine digluconate; Titanium scaffolds
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.126557

Implants for orthopedic applications need to be biocompatible and bioactive, with mechanical properties similar to those of surrounding natural bone. Given this scenario titanium (Ti) scaffolds obtained by Direct Ink Writing technique offer the opportunity to manufacture customized structures with controlled porosity and mechanical properties. Considering that 3D Ti scaffolds have a significant surface area, it is necessary to develop strategies against the initial bacterial adhesion in order to prevent infection in the early stages of the implantation, while promoting cell adhesion to the scaffold. The challenge is not only achieving a balance between antibacterial activity and osseointegration, it is also to develop a homogeneous coating on the inner and outer surface of the scaffold. The purpose of this work was the development of a single-step electrodeposition process in order to uniformly cover Ti scaffolds with a layer of calcium phosphate (CaP) loaded with chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX). Scaffold characterization was assessed by scanning electron microscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, micro-Raman microscopy and compressive strength tests. Results determined that the surface of scaffolds was covered by plate-like and whisker-like calcium phosphate crystals, which main phases were octacalcium phosphate and brushite. Biological tests showed that the as-coated scaffolds reduced bacteria adhesion (73 ± 3% for Staphylococcus aureus and 70 ± 2% for Escherichia coli). In vitro cell studies and confocal analysis revealed the adhesion and spreading of osteoblast-like SaOS-2 on coated surfaces. Therefore, the proposed strategy can be a potential candidate in bone replacing surgeries. [Display omitted] •Multifunctional coating of 3D titanium scaffolds•Fast electrodeposition of a calcium phosphate coating doped with chlorhexidine•Homogeneous coating with improved antibacterial and cell adhesion properties