Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Studies of Ti-40Nb-10Ag Implant Biomaterials

Abstract

Bacterial infection and stress shielding are important issues in orthopedic implants. In this study, Ag element was selected as an antibacterial agent to develop an antibacterial Ti-40Nb-10Ag alloy by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The microstructure, phase constitution, mechanical properties, microhardness, and antibacterial properties of the Ti-40Nb-10Ag sintered alloys with different sintering temperatures were systematically studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), microhardness tests, compressive tests, and antibacterial tests. The Ti-40Nb-10Ag alloys were mainly composed of α-Ti, β-Ti, and Ti2Ag intermetallic phases. This study shows that the change in sintering temperature affects the microstructure of the alloy, which results in changes in its microhardness, compressive strength, elastic modulus, and antibacterial properties. At the sintering temperature of 975 °C, good metallurgical bonding was developed on the surface of the alloy, which led to excellent microhardness, compressive strength, elastic modulus, and antibacterial ability with an antibacterial rate of 95.6%. In conclusion, the Ti-40Nb-10Ag alloy prepared by SPS at 975 °C is ideal and effective for orthopedic implant.

Influence of Zirconium on the Microstructure, Selected Mechanical Properties, and Corrosion Resistance of Ti20Ta20Nb20(HfMo)20−xZrx High-Entropy Alloys

“…Moreover, the microhardness of the studied Zr-containing HEAs was compared with our Hf-and Mo-containing bio-HEAs with similar chemical composition, conventional biomaterials, and human bone (Table 6). NiTi (hot-pressed and rolled) 693 [46] 316L SS (laser-cladded) 467.8 [47] Ti-6Al-4V (selective laser-melted) 390 [48] Ti-40Nb-10Ag (sintered at 975 • C) 360.4 [49] Titanium Grade 4 (after SPD process) 330 [50] cp-Ti (after high-pressure torsion) 305 [51] 316L SS (additive-manufactured) 300 [52] Lamellar bone 88.8 [53] According to the presented results, the microhardness of all the studied Zr-containing HEAs was comparable with the literature reporting Hf-and Mo-containing HEAs [27,28]. Nevertheless, the microhardness was higher in comparison to Ti-based biomaterials and human bone.…”

Complexation of Terpenes for the Production of New Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Molecules and Their Encapsulation in Order to Improve Their Activities

“…The oligodynamic effect enables certain metals to self-clean by destroying microorganisms with their metal ions, which would otherwise be toxic to many bacteria [215,216]. This effect can be seen in brass door handles, water tanks on certain aircraft, and silverware.…”