Antibacterial and Bioactive Coatings Based on Radio Frequency Co-Sputtering of Silver Nanocluster-Silica Coatings on PEEK/Bioactive Glass Layers Obtained by Electrophoretic Deposition

Bioactive and antibacterial coatings on stainless steel substrates were developed and characterized in this study. Silver nanocluster–silica composite coatings of 60–150 nm thickness were deposited using radio frequency (RF) co-sputtering on PEEK/bioactive glass (BG) layers (of 80–90 μm thickness) which had been electrophoretically deposited onto stainless steel. Two sputtering conditions were used by varying the deposition time (15 and 40 min); the resulting microstructure, composition, adhesion strength, in vitro bioactivity, and antibacterial activity were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) confirmed the presence of silver nanoclusters, which were homogeneously embedded in the silica matrix. The isoelectric point of the coatings and their charge at physiological pH were determined by zeta potential measurements. The presence of BG particles in the PEEK/BG layer allows the coatings to form apatite-like crysta...