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Simple and effective sol-gel methodology to obtain a bactericidal coating for prostheses

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology volume 108, pages 809–826 (2023)Cite this article

Abstract

A silica-based sol-gel antibacterial coating has been prepared, and its performance has been compared with an antibacterial hydroxyapatite-based coating when applied to Ti6Al4V alloy. The antibacterial functionality has been provided by silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) deposited after Ag+ reduction. This reduction was achieved by a low-temperature treatment in the case of the silica-based coating (<100 °C) and with high temperature in the case of the hydroxyapatite one (500 °C). Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) showed a better and more homogeneous distribution of Ag NPs on the coating in the case of the silica coating. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) characterization with a 1 nm diameter tip showed the formation of Ag NPs with a diameter of around 30 nm. Ag+ release in simulated body fluid at 37 °C, measured by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), showed a continued release of Ag+ with time, achieving 2.68 mg Ag+/L after 40 days in the case of silica-based coating (approximately a fivefold when compared to hydroxyapatite (HA) coating). Antibacterial activity for both coatings was tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, showing a 99.9% lethality compared to the sol-gel coatings without Ag NPs. The silica-based coating combines the advantages of low-temperature synthesis, excellent distribution of Ag NPs, good antibacterial properties, and sustained release for 40 days.

Graphical abstract

The proposed sol-gel method of synthesis of bactericidal coatings showed the formation of Ag NPs of around 30 nm over the entire surface of the silica coating, as observed by FESEM and AFM characterization.

Highlights

  • Silica-based antibacterial coatings with silver nanoparticles have been obtained by sol-gel.

  • Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) are generated at low temperature (80 °C).

  • Ag NPs are synthesized due to a redox reaction between Ag+ with GPTMS as observed by FTIR.

  • Atomic force microscopy showed the formation of 30 nm diameter Ag NPs on the surface.

  • Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of Ag NPs inside the coating.

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Acknowledgements

J. Belda is gratefully acknowledged for carrying out ICP-MS measurements. The Electron Microscopy Service of the UPV (Universitat Politècnica de València) is gratefully acknowledged for help with FESEM and EDX characterization. Instituto de Tecnología Química is gratefully acknowledged for carrying out XRD measurements.

Funding

This work was supported by the Instituto Valenciano de Competitividad Empresarial (IVACE) (project reference IMDEEA/2019/10) and the European Union (FEDER).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. AIDIMME. Instituto Tecnológico Metalmecánico, Mueble, Madera, Embalaje y Afines, Parque Tecnológico. Avda, Leonardo Da Vinci, 38, 46980, Paterna (València), Spain

    J. Molina, A. Valero-Gómez, S. Pocoví-Martínez, M. S. Ibiza-Palacios & F. Bosch

  2. Departamento de Ingeniería Textil y Papelera, EPS de Alcoy, Universitat Politècnica de València, Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell s/n, 03801, Alcoy, Spain

    J. Molina

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Contributions

Conceptualization: [JM]; Methodology: [JM, AV-G, SP-M, MSI-P, FB]; Formal analysis and investigation: [JM, AV-G, SP-M, MSI-P, FB]; Writing— original draft preparation: [JM, AV-G]; Writing—review and editing: [JM, AV-G, SP-M, MSI-P, FB]; Funding acquisition: [JM, AV-G, FB]; Resources: [FB].

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Molina, J., Valero-Gómez, A., Pocoví-Martínez, S. et al. Simple and effective sol-gel methodology to obtain a bactericidal coating for prostheses. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 108, 809–826 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-023-06237-0

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