Cytocompatibility, Antibacterial and Corrosion Properties of Chitosan-Based Coatings for Implant Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Metallic biomaterials designed for implantation currently fall short of meeting comprehensive requirements. Consequently, the surface modifications of these materials are under scrutiny for enhancing integration with surrounding tissues, improving corrosion resistance, and imparting prolonged antimicrobial efficiency during an implant’s lifespan. These modifications typically involve surface layer alterations through techniques such as electrochemical oxidation, laser treatment, or coating deposition, employing diverse methodologies. Common coating materials are bioceramics, biopolymers, metals primarily in a nanoparticle form, and their combinations as composites. Notably, biopolymers of a natural origin exhibiting heightened biocompatibility, bioactivity, and antibacterial attributes are gaining prominence. Chitosan, a derivative of chitin sourced from crustacean exoskeletons, insects, and fungal cell walls, stands out in this regard. Chitosan-based coatings are garnering increasing attention in implantology for their potential applications in controlled drug delivery systems, wound healing, and facilitation of bone tissue integration processes. However, achieving concurrent antibacterial and osteointegration effects on these surfaces within such systems poses challenges. The development of a homogeneous coating that fully envelops the often developed implant surface, ensuring robust resistance to the corrosive human body environment, proves to be a formidable task. Furthermore, ensuring the robust adhesion of such coatings to the implant and their resistance to wear presents additional challenges. Articles addressing solutions to these issues will be the focal point of this Special Issue. However, submissions need not be confined exclusively to these topics.

Dr. Łukasz Pawłowski
Prof. Dr. Andrzej Zieliński
Guest Editors

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• biomaterials
• surface modifications
• coatings
• chitosan
• composite
• cytocompatibility
• antibacterial properties
• corrosion resistance