Influence of silver nanoparticles addition on antibacterial properties of PEO coatings formed on magnesium

Magnesium is a biodegradable material and thus could be a choice for bone fixation devices and implants with a specific purpose. This study aims to enhance the anti-corrosive, biocompatible, and antibacterial properties on magnesium-based materials through ceramic coatings formation. To achieve this the silicate-based electrolyte was used to create of Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) coatings. During investigation the bioactive surfaces were presented by highly developed morphology with pore size from 0.008 +/- 0.01 to 0.098 +/- 0.14 mu m(2). The thickness of the coatings reached 7 mu m, which provides better corrosive behaviour. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) added during plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) into a silicate electrolytic bath allowed for achieving enhanced bioactive properties of coating. It increased hydrophilicity from 118 degrees to 62 degrees and showed no cytotoxic effects, which made the coatings promising for further biomedical investigations. Moreover, incorporation of AgNPs into the PEO coating led to release of silver during immersion test, which enhanced antibacterial properties of the surfaces.