NIR-responsive nano-holed titanium alloy surfaces: a photothermally activated antimicrobial biointerface

Among external stimuli-responsive therapy approaches, those using near infrared (NIR) light irradiation have attracted significant attention to treat bone-related diseases and bone tissue regeneration. Therefore, the development of metallic biomaterials sensitive to NIR stimuli is an important area of research in orthopaedics. In this study, we have generated in situ prism-shaped silver nanoparticles (p-AgNPs) in a biomorphic nano-holed TiO2 coating on a Ti6Al4V alloy (a-Ti6Al4V). Insertion of p-AgNPs does not disturb the periodically arranged sub-wavelength-sized unit cell on the a-Ti6Al4V dielectric structure, while they exacerbate its peculiar optical response, which results in a higher NIR reflectivity and high efficiency of NIR photothermal energy conversion suitable to bacterial annihilation. Together, these results open a promising path toward strategic bone therapeutic procedures, providing novel insights into precision medicine.