Antimicrobial properties dependence on the composition and architecture of copper-alumina coatings prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO)

This study presents environmentally friendly and low-cost synthetic routes to produce antimicrobial coatings over 5052 Al alloy based on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) technology. Two methodologies were explored: the decoration with copper anodic doping ions. The porous oxide layers produced in silicate media presented two consisting of γ-Al2O3 crystalline phase amorphous phases aluminosilicate, silica, Al(OH)3. Small amounts (<0.3 at.%) detected PEO films. In Cu-decorated film, clusters composed Cu0 Cu2+ species observed visually as small black dots surface. Cu-doped Cu+ homogeneously distributed content affected corrosion performance aggressive corrosive media. showed a remarkable activity after 24 h standard tests. effectiveness sample was higher against S. aureus, while more effective E. coli. results demonstrated that differences coating architecture can affect material composition and, consequently, bacterial inactivation mechanism. These findings serve guide tailor aluminum alloys for specific surfaces.