Antibacterial property and bioadaptability of Ti6Al4V alloy with a silvered gradient nanostructured surface layer

In this paper, a silvered gradient nanostructured (GNS) layer was successfully fabricated on Ti6Al4V surface by means of surface ultrasonic rolling treatment (SURT) combined with silvering process. Surface characteristics, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, antibacterial ability and cytotoxicity of GNS Ag/Ti6Al4V were investigated in comparison with those of coarse-grained (CG) and GNS Ti6Al4V samples. Owing to the greatly enhanced diffusion kinetics of Ag in the GNS layer, surface silvering on GNS Ti6Al4V was achieved at a relatively low temperature (500 degrees C), and the release rate of Ag+ was substantially accelerated, which endowed GNS Ag/Ti6Al4V with excellent antibacterial property. Moreover, improved wear and corrosion resistance of GNS Ag/Ti6Al4V can be achieved without cytotoxicity, indicating excellent bioadaptability. Graphic abstract