defense T. Mokabber: "Electrochemically deposited antimicrobial hydroxyapatite coatings"

The aim of the research in this thesis is to develop bioactive and antimicrobial coatings on titanium for biomedical applications. To do so, silver-containing calcium phosphate coatings were synthesized via electrochemical deposition, and their chemical, mechanical, and biological properties were investigated. The first focus was on the interplay between the effect of different deposition parameters and the chemical and physical properties of the coatings. The parameters such as applied voltage, applied current density, electrolyte composition, deposition temperature and time are optimized according to the morphology and the purity of the coatings. Also, the project aimed at getting fundamental insight into the crystal growth mechanism of electrodeposited calcium phosphate coatings and its influence on the mechanical and biological properties of the coatings. The response of osteosarcoma cells is studied to investigate the effect of the surface morphology on cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. Osteosarcoma cells are found to be more viable on the smooth coatings comparing with rough coatings and therefore, the better cell/tissue compatibility along with desirable mechanical properties make smooth coatings an optimal candidate for implants. In addition, the antimicrobial mechanism and biocompatibility of the silver-containing calcium phosphate coatings were investigated. A detailed analysis of the silver release rate and antimicrobial mechanism are also studied. The electrochemically deposited silver-containing calcium phosphate coatings containing silver nanoparticles have excellent antimicrobial activity as well as good biocompatibility, which can be applied to titanium medical implants.

promotors: Prof Y. Pei and Prof P. van Rijn