Characterization and investigation of properties of copper nanoparticle coated TiO2 nanotube surfaces on Ti6Al4V alloy

In this work, to investigate surface, corrosion and in vitro biological properties of the CuNPs-coated nanotube surfaces, antibacterial, bioactive and biocompatible nanoparticle-coated nanotube surfaces were produced on Ti6Al4V alloys by combined anodic oxidation (AO) and electrodeposition (ED) techniques for implant applications. All surfaces were characterized by SEM, EDX-mapping and -area, XRD, AFM and contact angle measurement techniques. The electrochemical and biological properties such as antibacterial activities, protein adsorption, ALP activity, hemolytic activity and cell viability of the surfaces were investigated in detail. Electrochemical corrosion resistance of CuNPs-coated nanotube surfaces were enhanced respect to uncoated Ti6Al4V alloy under simulated body fluid (SBF) conditions. Antibacterial properties, cell viability and ALP activity of CuNPs-coated nanotube surfaces were improved with compared to uncoated Ti6Al4V alloys. In addition, protein adsorption and hemolytic activity of CuNPs-coated nanotube surfaces were reduced. This work indicates a potential to precisely fabricate an antibacterial, bioactive and biocompatible CuNPs-coated nanotube surfaces on Ti6Al4V to fulfill orthopedic and dental implant needs by using combined AO and ED processes.