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In vitro study on an antibacterial Ti–5Cu alloy for medical application

  • Biomaterials Synthesis and Characterization
  • Original Research
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Health of human beings is subjected to severe threats from the spread of harmful bacteria and the implant-associated infection remains a serious problem in clinic. In this study, a copper-bearing antibacterial titanium alloy, Ti–5Cu, has been developed for dental and orthopedic implant applications. The microstructure, mechanical property, electrochemical corrosion behavior, in vitro antibacterial performance, cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility of the alloy are systematically investigated. The results reveal that the Ti–5Cu alloy which consists of α-phase matrix and intermetallic compound Ti2Cu not only possesses strong antibacterial activity against both E. coli and S. aureus, but also exhibits better mechanical properties than the commercial pure titanium. It is confirmed that the release of trace amount of Cu ions from the alloy plays an important role in killing bacteria. In spite of the ion release, Ti–5Cu alloy still reveals excellent corrosion resistance. Moreover, good cytocompatibility and superior hemocompatibility make Ti–5Cu alloy to be a potential solution that could prevent the peri-implant infection in dental and orthopaedic applications.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the financial supports from National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2012CB619101), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 81271957, 51501218, 81572113), Guangdong Provincial Science and technology Projects (2014A010105033), Shenzhen Peacock Programs KQCX20140521115045444 and 110811003586331 and Basic Research Project of Shenzhen City (No. JCYJ20120616142847342).

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    Authors and Affiliations

    1. Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Science, Shenzhen, China

      Zheng Ma, Haobo Pan & Ying Zhao

    2. Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, China

      Zheng Ma, Rui Liu, Ling Ren & Ke Yang

    3. Orthopedic Department, Guangzhou Military General Hospital, Guangzhou, China

      Mei Li & Yu Zhang

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    1. Zheng Ma
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    Correspondence to Ying Zhao or Ke Yang.

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    The authors Zheng Ma, Mei Li and Rui Liu have contributed equally to this work and should be considered co-first authors.

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    Ma, Z., Li, M., Liu, R. et al. In vitro study on an antibacterial Ti–5Cu alloy for medical application. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 27, 91 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-016-5698-1

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