Novel function-structure-integrated Ti-Mo-Cu alloy combined with excellent antibacterial properties and mechanical compatibility as implant application.

Ti-15Mo alloys have been widely used as biomedical materials. However, problems such as stress shielding and peri-implant infection occur when Ti-15Mo alloys are implanted in vivo. In this study, the function-structure-integrated Ti-15Mo- x Cu (x = 3, 7, 11 and 15 wt%) alloys were prepared by powder metallurgy using Ti, Mo and Cu powders as raw materials. The results revealed that the Ti-15Mo- x Cu alloys were mainly composed of β -Ti, α-Ti and Ti 2 Cu phases. The Ti 2 Cu phase combined with α -Ti formed a layer phase at the grain boundary. The strength of Ti-15Mo- x Cu alloys decreased with Cu content increasing. When the Cu content was 11 wt%, the Ti-Mo-Cu alloy exhibited the higher compressive strength of 318.8 MPa and the lowest elastic modulus of 5.2 GPa. Simultaneously, the concentration of Cu ion release was proportional to the Cu content, which further affected the antibacterial activity. A high concentration of Cu ions was released from the alloys, and then became stable. Antibacterial rates of S. aureus and E. coli beyond 95% with good cytocompatibility can be obtained for the Ti-15Mo-11Cu alloy. This research revealed that the Ti-15Mo-11Cu alloy has excellent mechanical compatibility and antibacterial properties, which could satisfy the requirement for implant of human cortical bones. [Display omitted] • The function-structure-integrate method was used to design Ti-Mo-Cu alloy prepared by powder metallurgy. • The crack propagation mechanism of Ti-Mo-Cu alloy was revealed. • The alloy could possess good mechanical compatibility and cytocompatibility. • The addition of 11-15 wt. %Cu improved antibacterial properties of the Ti-Mo alloy against E.coli and S. aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]