Deposition, structure, physical and invitro characteristics of Ag-doped ß-Ca3(PO4)2/chitosan hybrid composite coatings on Titanium metal.

ABSTRACT

Pure and five silver-doped (0-5Ag) ß-tricalcium phosphate [ß-TCP, ß-Ca3(PO4)2]/chitosan composite coatings were deposited on Titanium (Ti) substrates and their properties that are relevant for applications in hard tissue replacements were assessed. Silver, ß-TCP and chitosan were combined to profit from their salient and complementary antibacterial and biocompatible features.The ß-Ca3(PO4)2 powders were synthesized by co-precipitation. The characterization results confirmed the Ag(+) occupancy at the crystal lattice of ß-Ca3(PO4)2. The Ag-dopedß-Ca3(PO4)2/chitosan composite coatings deposited by electrophoresis showed good antibacterial activity and exhibited negative cytotoxic effects towards the human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63. The morphology of the coatings was observed by SEM and their efficiency against corrosion of metallic substrates was determined through potentiodynamic polarization tests.