Surface modification of titanium with antibacterial porous N-halamine coating to prevent peri-implant infection

Abstract Peri-implant infection remains one of the greatest threats to orthopedics. The construction of bone implants with good antibacterial and osteogenic properties is beneficial for reducing the risk of implant-related infections and healing bone defects. In this study, N-halamine coating (namely N-Cl) was grafted onto alkali-heat treated titanium (Ti) using polydopamine to endow Ti-based orthopedic implants with strong bactericidal activity. Surface characterization revealed that the N-Cl coating has porous structure loaded with active chlorine (Cl+). The N-Cl coating also provided micro/nano-structured Ti surfaces with excellent antibacterial ability via transformation between N-H and N-Cl, and approximately 100% disinfection was achieved. Furthermore, the as-prepared N-Cl coating exhibited good biocompatibility and osteogenesis ability in vitro. These results indicate that applying N-Cl coatings on Ti could prevent and treat peri-implant infections.