Surface Hydrophilicity and Antifungal Properties of TiO2 Films Coated on a Co-Cr Substrate

Abstract EN

The purpose of this study was to deposit a thin layer of TiO2 on a Co-Cr substrate, serving as a deactivation film protecting the metallic fitting surface.

The crystalline structure and surface morphology of the film were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

A scratch tester was used to examine the adhesion strength between the TiO2 film and the Co-Cr substrate.

The water contact angles and antifungal efficacy against C.

albicans of the TiO2-deposited Co-Cr samples were investigated and further compared with those of uncoated Co-Cr substrates.

The results indicated that a pure anatase microstructure and dense and smooth surface texture as well as strong binding to the underlying metallic surface were obtained.

The originally hydrophobic Co-Cr alloy surface turned hydrophilic after TiO2 film coating.

Most importantly, the TiO2-coated surface showed a superior antifungal capability under UV-irradiation compared to those without TiO2 coating.

This work contains meaningful results for the development of a new metallic framework coating with improved hydrophilicity and antifungal properties.