J. Mater. Sci. Technol. ›› 2020, Vol. 50: 31-43.DOI: 10.1016/j.jmst.2020.03.003

• Research Article • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Preliminary study of microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of antibacterial Ti-15Zr-xCu alloy for dental application

Sharafadeen Kunle Kolawolea,b,4, Wang Haib, Shuyuan Zhangb, Ziqing Sunb, Muhammad Ali Siddiquia,b, Ihsan Ullaha,b, Wei Songb, Frank Wittec, Ke Yangb,*()   

  1. aSchool of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China
    bInstitute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang, 110016, China
    cDepartment of Prosthodontics, Geriatric Dentistry and Craniomandibular Disorders, Assmannshauser Straβe 4-6, 14197, Berlin, Germany
    dFederal Polytechnic, Offa, P.M.B. 420, Offa, Kwara State, Nigeria
  • Received:2019-12-02 Revised:2020-01-09 Accepted:2020-01-22 Published:2020-08-01 Online:2020-08-10
  • Contact: Ke Yang

Abstract:

Ti-15Zr-xCu (3 ≤ x ≤ 7, wt.%) novel antibacterial and antibiofilm alloys with competitive mechanical properties, biological responses and corrosion resistance were designed and fabricated. Annealing heat treatment on Ti-15Zr-7Cu (TZC-7A), after holding for 2 h at slightly above their beta transus temperature (BTT) ensured their tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS) and hardness (HRV) were improved by 31.2%, 20% and 12.3% respectively compared to the control without Cu, Ti-15Zr (T-15ZA). Although the 3 wt.% Cu alloy displayed the highest elongation (26%), the TZC-7A alloy also possessed a good ductility. Presence of evenly dispersed Ti2Cu and Zr2Cu Cu-rich intermetallic phases formed as interwoven and alternating lamellae within the α + β matrix as a result of Cu addition, as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These greatly contributed to their strengthening and bactericidal properties. Over 98% antibacterial effect against E. coli and S. aureus have been imparted, coupled with excellent biofilm inhibition. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that the TZC-7A alloy possessed higher corrosion resistance than commercially pure titanium, cp-Ti; contact angle test revealed enhanced hydrophilicity; while confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and cell counting kit (CCK-8) assays also displayed drastically lowered bacterial adhesion rate with comparatively no cytotoxicity. Cell attachment on all alloys was similar but the best spread was obtained on TZC-7A after 24 h. The developed alloy has good potential as an antibacterial implant material with combination of optimized properties.

Key words: Ti-Zr alloy, Cu addition, Antibacterial, Mechanical properties, Intermetallic phases