Magnetron Sputtering of Antibacterial and Antifungal Tantalum-Copper and Niobium-Copper Coatings on Three Dimensional-Printed Porous Titanium Alloy Scaffolds: Part I

Azamatov B., Alontseva D., Borisov A., Maratuly B., Dogadkin D., Safarova Y., ...More

Johnson Matthey Technology Review, vol.69, no.1, pp.76-87, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 69 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1595/205651325x17157666493916
  • Journal Name: Johnson Matthey Technology Review
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Page Numbers: pp.76-87
  • Keywords: additive manufacturing, bacterial resistance, magnetron-sputtered coating, selective laser melting, titanium endoprosthesis implants
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This two-part study evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of tantalum-copper and niobium-copper coatings, applied via magnetron sputtering (MS) on three dimensional (3D) printed porous Ti6Al4V (Ti-64) alloy scaffolds and gas-abrasive treated Ti-64 alloy, against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis verified the application of coatings with 25 wt% copper, at thicknesses of 2 μm and 10 μm, to scaffolds (72% porosity) and roughened Ti-64 alloy (mean areal roughness of 4.6 ± 1 µm). The findings support the potential of these coatings in developing endoprosthesis implants with enhanced antimicrobial properties. Part I introduces the background research and describes the materials, methods and rationale for the present work.