Apatite-Forming Ability and Visible Light-Enhanced Antibacterial Activity of CuO-Supported TiO Formed on Titanium by Chemical and Thermal Treatments.

Titanium with apatite-forming ability as well as antibacterial activity is useful as a component of antibacterial dental implants. When Ti was subjected to hydrogen peroxide (HO), copper acetate (Cu(OAc)), and heat (HO-Cu(OAc)-heat) treatments, a network structure of anatase and rutile titanium dioxide (TiO) and fine copper oxide (CuO) particles was formed on the Ti surface. The resulting samples accumulated a dense and uniform apatite layer on the surface when incubated in simulated body fluid and showed enhanced antibacterial activity against and under visible-light irradiation.