TiO2-containing and ZnO-containing borosilicate glass—a novel thin glass with exceptional antibiofilm performances to prevent microfouling

Biofilm formation, also known as microfouling, on indwelling medical devices such as catheters or prosthetic joints causes difficult to treat and recurrent infections. It is also the initial step for biocorrosion of surfaces in aquatic environment. An efficient prevention of microfouling is preferable but the development of antibiofilm surfaces is enormously challenging. Therefore, soda-lime, aluminosilicate, and three borosilicate glasses with different TiO2 and ZnO compositions were investigated on their feasibility to prevent biofilm formation by standardized in vitro biofilm assays using different pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of these glasses was evaluated using eukaryotic cell lines end erythrocytes. Only two borosilicate glasses, containing TiO2 and ZnO, showed an increased antibiofilm performance inhibiting biofilm adhesion and formation. The biofilm thickness and area were significantly reduced by over 90 % and characterized by diffuse structures. All tested glass types showed neither cytotoxicity nor hemotoxicity. Therefore, the antibiofilm borosilicate-thin glasses are qualified for surface coatings where biofilms are not desirable such as on medical devices.