title: Bactericidal activity of biomimetic diamond nanocone surfaces.
abstract: The formation of biofilms on implant surfaces and the subsequent development of medical device-associated infections are difficult to resolve and can cause considerable morbidity to the patient. Over the past decade, there has been growing recognition that physical cues, such as surface topography, can regulate biological responses and possess bactericidal activity. In this study, diamond nanocone-patterned surfaces, representing biomimetic analogs of the naturally bactericidal cicada fly wing, were fabricated using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition, followed by bias-assisted reactive ion etching. Two structurally distinct nanocone surfaces were produced, characterized, and the bactericidal ability examined. The sharp diamond nanocone features were found to have bactericidal capabilities with the surface possessing the more varying cone dimension, nonuniform array, and decreased density, showing enhanced bactericidal ability over the more uniform, highly dense nanocone surface. Future research will focus on using the fabrication process to tailor surface nanotopographies on clinically relevant materials that promote both effective killing of a broader range of microorganisms and the desired mammalian cell response. This study serves to introduce a technology that may launch a new and innovative direction in the design of biomaterials with capacity to reduce the risk of medical device-associated infections.
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Leanne E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Fisher
authors.affiliation: Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), and Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), and Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Muk-Fung
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Yuen
authors.affiliation: Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), and Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Angela H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Nobbs
authors.affiliation: School of Oral and Dental Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol BS1 2LY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032701:Biomimetics; D018130:Diamond / Q000494:pharmacology*; D050296:Microbial Viability / Q000187:drug effects*; D049329:Nanostructures; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018130:Diamond