Antibacterial performance of 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V surfaces loaded with polydopamine-cinnamaldehyde

doi:10.12337/zgkqzzxzz.2025.12.011

Abstract

Abstract: Objective To successfully load polydopamine-cinnamaldehyde (PDA-CA) composite coatings onto the surface of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V specimens and to investigate their antibacterial properties and biocompatibility. Methods PDA-CA was deposited onto 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V specimens. Untreated 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V served as the blank control group, and sandblasted-acid-etched specimens served as the experimental control group. The experimental groups included a PDA group, a cinnamaldehyde (CA) group, and a PDA-CA group. The surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental composition was analyzed by energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and hydrophilicity was evaluated via water contact angle measurements. MC3T3-E1 cells were inoculated onto specimen surfaces to assess biocompatibility, and Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were used to evaluate antibacterial properties. Results SEM results showed uniform substance coverage in the PDA-CA group. EDS results revealed the characteristic nitrogen (N) element in the PDA group and significantly increased carbon (C) and oxygen (O) contents-derived from cinnamaldehyde-in the PDA-CA group. The water contact angle measurements indicated hydrophilicity in all experimental groups. The PDA-CA group demonstrated markedly enhanced cinnamaldehyde loading, significantly superior antibacterial activitg compared with those of other groups, and good biocompatibility. Conclusion Successful loading of PDA-CA enhances the antibacterial properties of 3D-printed Ti-6Al-4V while maintaining favorable biocompatibility.

Key words: 3D printing, Ti-6Al-4V, Polydopamine, Cinnamaldehyde, Antibacterial

Song Nawei, Wei Zhaoming, Qu Chenxi, Liu Miao. Antibacterial performance of 3D printed Ti-6Al-4V surfaces loaded with polydopamine-cinnamaldehyde[J]. Chinese Journal of Oral Implantology, 2025, 30(6): 580-586.

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