The effects of plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII&D) process voltages on the morphology, phase formation and E. coli adhesion of Ag coatings obtained on the surface of Ti6Al4V orthopedic implant material in nitrogen plasma

In order to combine the antimicrobial effect of silver with mechanical and chemical properties of titanium nitrate, Ag was deposited on the surface of Ti6Al4V (orthopedic implant material) in N-2 plasma by using plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIII&D) method. The coatings were formed by using varied negative pulsed high voltage and magnetron sputtering voltage values of PIII&D process. Surface morphologies of coatings were determined with atomic force microscopy (AFM), while cross-section morphologies were determined with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The phases and chemical compositions of coatings were investigated by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. XPS depth profile analysis were done to reveal the penetration of Ag+ ions into the surface of specimen. In in vitro anti-bacterial effectiveness experiments, the adhesion of E. coli (Escherichia coli) microorganism, which were marked with Tc-99m radioisotope, on surfaces of specimens was investigated. It was consequently determined that Ag was dominant in the coatings obtained by applying 8 kV negative pulsed high voltage, while Ag decreased on the surface depending on the increase in the voltage.