Bacterial attachment onto the surfaces of sputter-prepared titanium and titanium-based nanocoatings

Titanium is commonly used in indwelling devices because of its high biocompatibility, low toxicity and high corrosion resistance. Titanium can be used either as a pure metal, an alloy or as a coating in medical applications; including orthopeadic and dental prostheses and cardiac valves, maxiofacial surgery and vascular stents. The use and diversity of these implants is increasing. As a result, research into the use of bioactive surface modified titanium, modified to enhance its biocompatibility, is also increasing. Thin film technologies are available that enable the creation of different surface morphologies, and these morphologies strongly influence the extent of growth and adhesion of osteoblast cells.