Antibacterial Effects of Bimetallic Clusters Incorporated in Amorphous Carbon for Stent Application

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02821
• Publication Date: 2020-05-08T14:22:50Z
• Authors: Isabel Carvalho; Nicolina Dias; Mariana Henriques; Sebastian Calderon V; Paulo Ferreira; Albano Cavaleiro; Sandra Carvalho
• Keywords: Bimetallic strip; Galvanic cell; Amorphous carbon; Carbon fibers

The purpose of this work is the development Ag/a:C and Ag–Au/a:C coatings for ureteral stents, to provide them with antimicrobial characteristics. Silver was selected because its well-known antibacterial properties, while gold included assess capacity accelerate silver ion release forming a galvanic couple between Au Ag. Thus, metallic (Ag) bimetallic clusters (Ag–Au) were produced by three different configurations: (i) unbalanced magnetron sputtering (conventional sputtering), (ii) plasma gas condensation process, (iii) combination both previous approaches. Coatings Ag–Au characterized transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in order study arrangement (alloy, core–shell, couple) these particles carbon matrix. Inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES) used quantify Ag ions released through artificial urine from deposited on thermoplastic polyurethane tape (one materials manufacture stent ). Then, cytotoxicity properties evaluated. TEM shows that biphasic structure not detected, thus allowing anticipate establishment couple. ICP–OES results demonstrate ionization mainly function amount incorporated amorphous (a:C) matrix, formation alloy has detrimental effect ions. activity regulated mechanisms higher had activity.