Surface functionalization of 3D printed Ti scaffold with Zn-containing mesoporous bioactive glass

Implants-associated infections affect millions of people worldwide and are becoming increasingly challenging clinically. Intensive research efforts have been dedicated to developing novel antibacterial coatings for porous metallic implants with complex topological structures. In this work, Zn doped bactericidal mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) coatings were developed on 3D printed Ti scaffolds. With the content of Zn increased from 1 mol% to 5 mol%, the specific surface area of the MBG coatings declined from 377.6 m2/g to 174.5 m2/g, leading to a decreased apatite inducing ability. However, antibacterial studies revealed that the addition of zinc improved the antibacterial properties significantly. MC3T3-E1 cells were used to evaluate the cyto-biocompatibility of the coatings. It was found that scaffolds coated with MBG and 1Zn MBG coatings promoted cells proliferation and exhibited good cyto-compatibilities.