STUDY OF STRUCTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF SPUTTER DEPOSITED NANOCOMPOSITE Ti-Si-N THIN FILMS

Abstract

The significant problems arising after implant placement are Bacterial infection and less cytocompatibility. These problems can be overcome by modifying surface of implants either by some surface treatments or coating the surface with antibacterial cytocompatible material. In this study, in vitro antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility of TiSiN super hard coating on Ti6A14V implant surgface was evaluated. Deposition was achieved by Magnetron cosputtering of Ti and Si at different parameters. X-ray diffraction, contact angles measurements, and surface roughness were used to characterize the coating surfaces. The GFP containing E.coli DH5a strain was used to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the TiSiN coatings. X-ray diffraction analysis performed in this study indicated peaks corresponding TiN nanocrystals embedded in the Si3N4 amorphous matrix. In vitro bacterial adhesion study indicated a significant difference in number of E.coli on TiSiN surface based upon changes in process conditions. Overall, it was concluded that percentage of Si in the coatings has an impact on antibacterial activity of TiSiN coating. Cytocompatibility studies were carried out on mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMMSC). Cell adhesion, proliferation, morphology and gene expression analysis were also performed on the surface to access the biocompatibility of TiSiN thin film.