Microstructure and antibacterial properties of Cu-doped TiO2 coating on titanium by micro-arc oxidation

Infection associated with titanium implants remains the most common serious complication after surgery. In this work, Cu-doped antibacterial TiO2 coating was synthesized by micro-arc oxidation of titanium in an electrolyte bearing Cu nanoparticles. Surface morphology and structure of the coating were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that Cu nanoparticles were not only distributed on the surface and inside the pores but also embedded in the coating. Cu mainly exists in the Cu2+ state in the TiO2 coating. The Cu-doped coating exhibited excellent antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).