Antibacterial activity of As-annealed TiO₂ nanotubes doped with Ag nanoparticles against periodontal pathogens

It is important to develop functional transmucosal implant surfaces that reduce the number of initially adhering bacteria and they need to be modified to improve the anti-bacterial performance. Commercially pure Ti sheets were anodized in an electrolyte containing ethylene glycol, distilled water and ammonium fluoride at room temperature to produce TiO₂ nanotubes. These structures were then annealed at 450°C to transform them to anatase. As-annealed TiO₂ nanotubes were then treated in an electrolyte containing 80.7 g/L NiSO₄·7H₂O, 41 g/L MgSO₄·7H₂O, 45 g/L H₃BO₃, and 1.44 g/L Ag₂SO₄ at 20°C by the application of 9 V AC voltage for doping them with silver. As-annealed TiO₂ nanotubes and as-annealed Ag doped TiO₂ nanotubes were evaluated by SEM, FESEM, and XRD. Antibacterial activity was assessed by determining the adherence of A. actinomycetemcomitans, T. forsythia, and C. rectus to the surface of the nanotubes. Bacterial morphology was examined using an SEM. As-annealed Ag doped TiO₂ nanotubes revealed intense peak of Ag. Bacterial death against the as-annealed Ag doped TiO₂ nanotubes were detected against A. actinomycetemcomitans, T. forsythia, and C. rectus indicating antibacterial efficacy.