Biocompatibility and antibacterial properties of TiCu(Ag) thin films produced by physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering

Mechanical robustness, biocompatibility, and antibacterial performance are key features for materials suitable to be used in tissue engineering applications. In this work, we investigated the link existing between structural functional properties of TiCu(Ag) thin films deposited by physical vapor deposition magnetron sputtering (MS-PVD) on Si substrates. Thin were characterized X-ray diffraction (XRD), nanoindentation, atomic force microscopy (AFM), photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The showed complete amorphous structure improved mechanical comparison with pure Ti films. However, contents excess 20% Ag observed appearance nanometric crystallite. displayed excellent biocompatibility properties, allowing adhesion proliferation human fibroblasts MRC-5 cell line. Moreover, all alloys display bactericidal preventing growth both Pseudomonas aeruginosa Staphylococcus aureus. Results obtained from biological tests have been correlated surface microstructure these multifunctional opens their use