ZnO nanorod arrays on Ti implant for self-antibacterial application

Abstract

Background: Implant-related infection will inhibit implant-bone osteointegration, even resulting in an unavoidable second surgery in severe cases. Therefore, developing artificial implant materials with effective self-antibacterial ability by surface engineering is central to overcome implant-related infection.

Methods: Herein, the ZnO nanorod arrays were prepared on Ti implant by atomic layer deposition and hydrothermal growth method.

Results: The obtained ZnO nanorod arrays grow preferentially along the near-perpendicular direction, displaying hexagonal prisms with an average diameter of about80 nm. Notably, the ZnO nanorod arrays show the high antibacterial rate of 99.39% ± 0.27% against S. aureus. The possible antibacterial mechanisms of ZnO nanorods are discussed.

Conclusions: In summary, the self-antibacterial ZnO nanorod arrays on Ti implant have great potential in implant-related infection application. This work provided the insight into the self-antibacterial therapy of Ti implant by surface engineering.