Selective etching of injection molded zirconia-toughened alumina: Towards osseointegrated and antibacterial ceramic implants

Due to their outstanding mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility, zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics have become the gold standard in orthopedics for the fabrication of ceramic bearing components over the last decade. However, ZTA is bioinert, which hampers its implantation in di...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Flamant, Quentin, Caravaca, Carlos, Meille, Sylvain, Gremillard, Laurent, Chevalier, Jerome, Biotteau Deheuvels, Katia, Kuntz, Meinhard, Chandrawati, Rona, Herrmann, Inge K., Spicer, Christopher D., Stevens, Molly M., Anglada Gomila, Marcos Juan|||0000-0003-4955-3434
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2016
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repositorio:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/97606
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/97606
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2016.09.017
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Zirconium
Implant dentures
Zirconi
Implants dentals
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria dels materials
Descripción
Sumario:Due to their outstanding mechanical properties and excellent biocompatibility, zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramics have become the gold standard in orthopedics for the fabrication of ceramic bearing components over the last decade. However, ZTA is bioinert, which hampers its implantation in direct contact with bone. Furthermore, periprosthetic joint infections are now the leading cause of failure for joint arthroplasty prostheses. To address both issues, an improved surface design is required: a controlled micro- and nano-roughness can promote osseointegration and limit bacterial adhesion whereas surface porosity allows loading and delivery of antibacterial compounds. In this work, we developed an integrated strategy aiming to provide both osseointegrative and antibacterial properties to ZTA surfaces. The micro-topography was controlled by injection molding. Meanwhile a novel process involving the selective dissolution of zirconia (selective etching) was used to produce nano-roughness and interconnected nanoporosity. Potential utilization of the porosity for loading and delivery of antibiotic molecules was demonstrated, and the impact of selective etching on mechanical properties and hydrothermal stability was shown to be limited. The combination of injection molding and selective etching thus appears promising for fabricating a new generation of ZTA components implantable in direct contact with bone.