A highly efficient, low-toxic, wide-spectrum antibacterial coating designed for 3D printed implants with tailorable release properties

Herein, a highly customized and broad-spectrum antibacterial implant was prepared through the combination of 3D printing technology and surface nano-modification. The antibacterial coating, which consists of the film-forming agent polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyethylene acid (PAA), and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs), was modified on the surface of a 3D-printed implant. The small-sized Ag-NPs (<10 nm) showed potent broad spectrum activity and good biocompatibility in relatively low concentration. Moreover, through changing the content of the Ag-NPs and the proportion of PVA and PAA, the loadings and release rate of Ag-NPs could be controlled according to actual requirements, achieving the goal of precise treatment. Animal experiments demonstrated that the implant system exhibited superior anti-infection performance, which could effectively reduce the postoperative infection risk of implant materials, consequently promoting the practical process of 3D printed implants.