Degradation of sputtered hydroxyapatite in different acellular media

The aim of the present paper is to demonstrate the influence of Ag addition on in vitro bioactivity and degradation properties of sputtered hydroxyapatite in three acellular media: simulated body fluid (SBF), Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The immersion tests were performed at 37°±0.5°C during a period ranged from 1 to 21 days. The coatings were achieved by a RF-magnetron sputtering method using two cathodes manufactured of hydroxyapatite and one made of Ag (99.9% purity). The EDS analysis demonstrated that the deposited coatings were mainly composed of calcium and phosphorus, their ratio was ranged from 1.69 to 1.71. The in vitro behaviour in SBF, DMEM and PBS media has indicated that Ag doped coatings are more resistant to corrosion of SBF and PBS, while in DMEM is very similar to the undoped hydroxyapatite costings.

The work was supported by the grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CCCDI – UEFISCDI, projects number COFUND-ERANET-RUS-PLUS- CoatDegraBac no.68/2018, within PNCDI III, as well the Core Program no. 18N-01--02/2019) and no. 19PFE/October 17, 2018 PROINSTITUTIO.