Physicochemical and cytotoxicity studies of a novel hydrogel nanoclay EPD coating on titanium made of chitosan/gelatin/halloysite for biomedical applications

This recent study proposes a novel three-dimensional hydrogel nanoclay coating, referred to as microbeads-nanotubes (MNTs size: bead, Ø 1–15 μm; tube, Ø 30–70 nm) deposited on commercially pure titanium (cpTi). The proposed MNTs particles were electrophoretically co-deposited (EPD: 10 V, 5 min, 25 mA/cm2) on cpTi with the chitosan/gelatin hydrogel matrix. The resulting hydrogel nanoclay coating has a homogeneous web-like micronetwork morphology and is highly porous (Ø ca. 100–200 μm) in structure, intertwined with nanotube tunnelling (Ø 30–70 nm). The incorporation of MNTs particles within the web-like micro-network of dried hydrogel on cpTi reduces the coating's swelling in PBS and leads to a controlled degradation rate in Lysozyme solution. It also increased the hydrogel coating’ corrosion current resistance and induced osteoblast viability. The fabrication of the proposed nanoclay hydrogel from a mixture of chitosan/gelatin/halloysite as colloids and MNTs particles in this recent study is fast and straightforward. The nontoxic property of the MNT coating established in this report could broaden and diversify the hydrogel nanoclay material applications for implant coatings and medication nanocontainers in the near future.