Co doped ZnO thin films deposited by spin coating as antibacterial coating for metallic implants

摘要

Pure and Co doped ZnO thin films were deposited on Ti substrates by spin coating and further thermally treated at 500 or 600 degrees C in order to achieve implantable metallic materials with improved biocompatibility and antibacterial effect. The influence of dopant concentration on the physical, chemical and biological characteristics was also approached, namely values of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 5.0 mol% Co. The coated structures were investigated in terms of composition, structure, morphology, wetting properties, antibacterial activity and biological response in the presence of amniotic fluid stem cells. The results proved that all deposited samples are nanostructured, with thicknesses below 1 mu m, show a very good antimicrobial effect and prove to be suitable supports for cellular adhesion and proliferation.