A novel strategy for fabrication of antibacterial Kirschner wire via Langmuir-Blodgett assembly

Kirschner wires (K-wires) are widely used as orthopedic external fixators due to their versatility and effectiveness. However, infection at the pin tract is a frequent and feared complication of K-wires. Thus, in this study, graphene oxide/copper ion (GO/Cu2+) complex was coated on K-wires surface via Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) assembly to endow K-wires with antibacterial and biocompatible properties. This new LB strategy enables the facile control of the coating microstructure, including the arrangement, density and number of layers to achieve adjustable GO/Cu2+ loading, sustained Cu2+ release behaviors. During the LB process, GO sheets floating on the water-air interface were oriented in an arrangement such that a significant number of edges were exposed. The GO/Cu2+ coating exhibited inherent antibacterial properties in vitro and in vivo through the sharp-edged sheet structure of GO, membrane stress and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Moreover, MC3T3-E1 cells on modified K-wires showed better adhesion, migration and proliferation abilities because of the synergistic effects of physical structure and chemical properties of the GO/Cu2+ coating. Thus, modified K-wires could be promising as potent antimicrobial materials for orthopedic surgery.