Graphene Based Biomedical Composite Coatings Produced by Electrophoretic Deposition on Titanium

Abstract

The biocomposite hydroxyapatite/graphene (HAP/Gr) and silver/hydroxyapatite/graphene (Ag/HAP/Gr) coatings were electrodeposited on titanium substrate using the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) technique to produce bioactive coating with improved mechanical characteristics and corrosion stability in simulated body fluid (SBF). The electrodeposited coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray photoelectron analysis, nanoindentation test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both HAP/Gr and Ag/HAP/Gr coatings exhibited reduced surface cracks, better mechanical resistance, enhanced thermal and corrosion stability, as well as bioactivity No antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was verified in the case of HAP/Gr coating, while Ag/HAP/Gr coating exhibited antibacterial activity indicating the high potential for biomedical applications. Both coatings were classified as non-cytotoxic against healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).