Biocompatibility evaluation of sputtered zirconium-based thin film metallic glass-coated steels.
Thin film metallic glasses comprised of Zr48Cu36Al8Ag8 (at.%) of approximately 1.5 μm and 3 μm in thickness were prepared using magnetron sputtering onto medical grade 316L stainless steel. Their structural and mechanical properties, in vitro corrosion, and antimicrobial activity were analyzed. The amorphous thin film metallic glasses consisted of a single glassy phase, with an absence of any detectable peaks corresponding to crystalline phases. Elemental composition close to the target alloy was noted from EDAX analysis of the thin film. The surface morphology of the film showed a smooth surface on scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. In vitro electrochemical corrosion studies indicated that the zirconium-based metallic glass could withstand body fluid, showing superior resistance to corrosion and electrochemical stability. Interactions between the coated surface and bacteria were investigated by agar diffusion, solution suspension, and wet interfacial contact methods. The results indicated a clear zone of inhibition against the growth of microorganisms such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, confirming the antimicrobial activity of the thin film metallic glasses. Cytotoxicity studies using L929 fibroblast cells showed these coatings to be noncytotoxic in nature.
Electrochemical Material Science Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, India.
Balasubramanian
B
Subramanian
Corrosion and Materials Protection Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, India.
Sundaram
S
Maruthamuthu
Electrochemical Material Science Division, Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi, India.
Senthilperumal Thanka
ST
Rajan
D000818:Animals; D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001826:Body Fluids; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002460:Cell Line; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis; D003343:Corrosion; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods*; D051379:Mice; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects; D012834:Silver / Q000032:analysis; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013232:Steel / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015040:Zirconium / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007477:Ions; D013232:Steel; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; D015040:Zirconium
antimicrobial activity; biocompatibility; corrosion; sputtering; thin film metallic glasses