Innovative Anodic Treatment to Obtain Stable Metallic Silver Micropatches on TiO 2 Nanotubes: Structural, Electrochemical, and Photochemical Properties

CAJIAO CHECCHIN, VALENTINA C.; CACCIARI, RODOLFO D.; RUBERT, ALDO A.; LIEBLICH, MARCELA; CAREGNATO, PAULA; FAGALI, NATALIA S.; FERNÁNDEZ LORENZO DE MELE, MÓNICA

ACS Omega

AMER CHEMICAL SOC

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2024

2470-1343

Electrochemicalmodificationof the Ti surfacetoobtainTiO2nanotubes(NT-Ti)has been proposedto enhanceosseointegrationin medicalapplications.However,susceptibilitytomicrobialadhesion,linkedto biomaterial-associatedinfections,andthe high TiO2band gap energy,whichallowslight absorptionalmostexclusivelyin the ultraviolet(UV)region,limit itsapplications.Modifyingthe TiO2semiconductorwith metalssuchas Ag has been suggestedboth for antimicrobialpurposesand forabsorbinglight in the visibleregion.The formationof NT-TiwithAg micropatches(Ag-NT-Ti)is pursuedwith the objectiveofenhancingthe stabilityof the depositsand preventingcytotoxiclevels of Ag cellularuptake.The innovativeprocessproposedhereinvolvesimmersingNT-Tiin a AgNO3solutionas the initial step.Divergingfrom previouslyreportedelectrochemicalmethods,this processincorporatesanodizationwithinthe TiO2oxide formationregioninsteadof cathodicreductiongenerallyemployedby other researchers.The final step encompassesan annealingtreatment.The treatmentsresult in thein situAg1+reductionand formationof stable and active micropatchesof metallicAg on the NT-Tisurface.Scanningelectronmicroscopy(SEM),energy-dispersiveX-ray spectroscopy(EDS),X-ray photoelectronspectroscopy(XPS),Raman,diffusereflectancespectroscopy(DRS),wettabilityassessment,and electrochemicalcharacterizationswereconductedto evaluatethe modifiedsurfaces.The well-knownpropertiesof NT-Tisurfaceswere enhanced,leadingto improvedphotocatalyticactivityacrossboth visibleand UV regions,significantstabilityagainstdetachment,and controlledreleaseof Ag1+forpromisingantimicrobialeffects.