Merit and demerit effects of silver nanoparticles in the bioperformance of an electrodeposited hydroxyapatite: nanosilver composite coating

For this research, TiAlZr specimens were covered with a hydroxyapatite–silver nanoparticles composite coatings (nAg-HA) prepared by pulse electrodeposition. The morphological texture of the nAg-HA nanoparticles on TiAlZr surface was investigated with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Electrochemical parameters from dynamic polarization tests performed in Ringer’s solution indicate better anticorrosive properties for the TiAlZr alloy after nAg-HA electrodeposition. Bacteriological experiments performed in vitro demonstrate the efficacy of TiAlZr implants coated with nAg-HA against the growth of Escherichia coli bacteria quantified in a 98 % inhibition of Escherichia coli growth. The biocompatibility tests regarding cell adherence, proliferation, and viability of coating (also by means of Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction—RT-PCR) completed the characterization of the coating, enabling us to discuss the merit and demerit effects of Ag nanoparticles (nAg) effects on bioperformance. Based on experimental and literature data, the coating could be considered a passive–active structure.