Analysis of surface properties of Ag and Ti ion-treated medical textiles by metal vapor vacuum arc ion implantation

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/coatings11010102

The study focuses on the effects of Ag (silver) and Ti (titanium) ions on textiles by MEVVA (metal vapor vacuum arc) ion implantation. In order to comprehend this, the research was executed in three parts. In the first part, the antibacterial efficiencies of Ag and TiO2 were investigated in detail since the antibacterial capabilities of Ag and TiO2 are well known. A group of polyester- and cotton-based medical textiles were modified by Ag and TiO2 ions, with doses ranging from 5 × 1015 to 5 × 1016 ion/cm2. To determine the adhesion capabilities of the implanted ions on surfaces, after the first round of antibacterial tests, these medical textiles were washed 30 times, and then antibacterial tests were performed for the second time. The results were also compared with nanoparticle-treated medical textiles. In the second part, the corrosion and friction capabilities of Ag and Ti ion-implanted polyester textiles, with a dose of 5 × 1015 ion/cm2, were investigated. Finally, the UV protection capabilities of Ag and Ti ion-implanted polyester textiles, with a dose of 5 × 1015 ion/cm2, were investigated. The experiments showed that even after 30 washes, the TiO2 ion-implanted polyester textile had almost 85% antibacterial efficiency. In addition, Ti ion implantation reduced the friction coefficiency of a polyester textile by almost 50% when compared with an untreated textile. Finally, the Ag-ion-implanted polyester textile provided a UV protection factor of 30, which is classified as very good protection.