Microstructure and antibacterial property of stainless steel implanted by Cu ions

Copper ions were implanted into AISI 304 austenitic stainless steel by metal vapor vacuum arc (MEVVA) with 60 - 100 keV energy and a dose range (0.2 - 5.0) x 10(17) cm(-2). Then Cu-implanted stainless steel was treated by a special antibacterial treatment. Antibacterial rates of Cu-implanted stainless steel, Cu-implanted stainless steel with special antibacterial treatment and un-implanted stainless steel were obtained by agar plate method. Phase composition in the implanted layer was analyzed by glancing X-ray diffraction (GXRD). Microstructure of antibacterial stainless steel was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and changes of the bacterium appearance after 24 h antibacterial action on the surface of un-implanted and Cu-implanted stainless steel with antibacterial treatment were observed with bio-TEM respectively. The results show that stainless steel obtains antibacterial property against E. coli when the Cu ions dose approaches to the saturated one. A suitable amount of Cu-rich phase uniformly disperses on the surface of Cu-implanted stainless steel that is treated by the special antibacterial treatment. The Cu-rich phase naked on the surface has a function of damage to pericellular membrane and cell wall, the pericellular membrane is thickened and the karyon degraded, and finally, bacteria die. Cu-rich phase naked on the surface endows stainless steel with best antibacterial property.