Antibacterial Property of Cold Sprayed Chitosan-Cu/Al Coating

The antibacterial behavior of CS-Cu (chitosan-copper complex) powder and their composite coatings were investigated against Escherichia coli (DH5α). CS-Cu powder and Al (aluminum) based CS-Cu composite powders were synthesized using in-house powder processing techniques. The results indicated that the antibacterial effect of all the powders increased with the proportion of CS-Cu powder. These composite powders were subsequently used as feedstock to generate antibacterial coatings via cold spray technology. The ratios of CS-Cu to Al in their composite powders were 25:75, 50:50, and 75:25 (wt.%). Microstructural characterization and phase analysis of feedstock powders and as-deposited coatings were carried out using FESEM/EDX and FTIR. Antibacterial composite CS-Cu/Al coatings were successfully deposited using cold spraying parameters of 6-8 bars at preheated helium gas, temperature between 140 and 150 °C. The coatings retained the antibacterial properties of the original feedstock powders.