posted on 2024-02-01, 14:08authored byEray Yüce, Elham Sharifikolouei, Matej Micusik, Sara Ferraris, Reza Rashidi, Ziba Najmi, Selin Gümrükçü, Alessandro Scalia, Andrea Cochis, Lia Rimondini, Silvia Spriano, Maria Omastova, Abdulkadir Sezai Sarac, Jürgen Eckert, Baran Sarac
In this study, a
recently reported Ti-based metallic
glass (MG),
without any toxic element, but with a significant amount of metalloid
(Si–Ge–B, 18 atom %) and minor soft element (Sn, 2 atom
%), was produced in ribbon form using conventional single-roller melt-spinning.
The produced Ti60Zr20Si8Ge7B3Sn2 ribbons were investigated by differential
scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction to confirm their amorphous
structure, and their corrosion properties were further investigated
by open-circuit potential and cyclic polarization tests. The ribbon’s
surface was functionalized by tannic acid, a natural plant-based polyphenol,
to enhance its performance in terms of corrosion prevention and antimicrobial
efficacy. These properties can potentially be exploited in the premucosal
parts of dental implants (abutments). The Folin and Ciocalteu test
was used for the quantification of tannic acid (TA) grafted on the
ribbon surface and of its redox activity. Fluorescent microscopy and
ζ-potential measurements were used to confirm the presence of
TA on the surfaces of the ribbons. The cytocompatibility evaluation
(indirect and direct) of TA-functionalized Ti60Zr20Si8Ge7B3Sn2 MG ribbons
toward primary human gingival fibroblast demonstrated that no significant
differences in cell viability were detected between the functionalized
and as-produced (control) MG ribbons. Finally, the antibacterial investigation
of TA-functionalized samples against Staphylococcus
aureus demonstrated the specimens’ antimicrobial
properties, shown by scanning electron microscopy images after 24
h, presenting a few single colonies remaining on their surfaces. The
thickness of bacterial aggregations (biofilm-like) that were formed
on the surface of the as-produced samples reduced from 3.5 to 1.5
μm.