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Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications
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Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Coatings (ISSN 2079-6412). This special issue belongs to the section "Surface Coatings for Biomedicine and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 4683

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Margareta Gabriela Ciobanu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Organic, Biochemical and Food Engineering, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection “Cristofor Simionescu”, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, Prof. dr. doc. D. Mangeron Street, no. 73, 700050 Iasi, Romania
Interests: biomaterials (hydroxyapatite, titanium and their alloys, etc.); coatings; scaffolds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is dedicated to highlighting the critical advancements achieved in the development of films and coatings for use in medical devices, such as implants, scaffolds for tissue engineering, etc. The surface properties of biomaterials are known to be crucial for clinical success. Currently, in addition to the development of novel biomaterials, specialists in the field are seeking to modify the biological and mechanical surface properties of existing biomaterials to meet specific needs and applications in the medical field. The deposition of thin films or coatings on substrates requires the modification of the surface and, ultimately, leads to an improvement in the properties of the biomaterials used.

In this Special Issue, the following biomaterials should be considered: metals (Ti, Mg, etc.) and their alloys; polymers; ceramics; and hydroxyapatite.

Potential topics:

This Special Issue will serve as a forum for papers addressing the application of films and coatings in medical devices, such as implants and scaffolds for tissue engineering. The scope of this Special Issue therefore includes, but is not limited to, the following topics:

- Composite films and coatings;

- Antimicrobial films and coatings;

- Antifouling films and coatings;

- Immobilization of biofunctional molecules and biomolecules to form biofunctional films and coatings;

- Drug delivery films and coatings;

- Medical implants and tissue scaffolds.

We kindly invite you to submit your contributions in the form of research articles, communications or reviews to this Special Issue.

Prof. Dr. Gabriela Ciobanu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Coatings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • coating
  • film
  • surface treatment
  • biomaterial
  • medical device

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 5662 KB  
Article
Physical Vapor Deposited TiN and TiAlN on Biomedical β-Type Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr: Microstructural Characteristics, Surface Hardness Enhancement, and Antibacterial Activity
by Hakan Yilmazer
Coatings 2025, 15(10), 1126; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101126 - 29 Sep 2025
Viewed by 430
Abstract
Beta (β)-type Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr (TNTZ) alloys combine low modulus with biocompatibility but require improved surface properties for long-term implantation. This study aimed to enhance the surface mechanical strength and antibacterial performance of TNTZ by applying TiN and TiAlN coatings via PVD. Notably, TiAlN was [...] Read more.
Beta (β)-type Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr (TNTZ) alloys combine low modulus with biocompatibility but require improved surface properties for long-term implantation. This study aimed to enhance the surface mechanical strength and antibacterial performance of TNTZ by applying TiN and TiAlN coatings via PVD. Notably, TiAlN was deposited on TNTZ for the first time, enabling a direct side-by-side comparison with TiN under identical deposition conditions. Dense TiN (~1.06 μm) and TiAlN (~1.73 μm) coatings were deposited onto solution-treated TNTZ and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning probe microscopy, Vickers microhardness, Rockwell indentation test (VDI 3198), static water contact angle measurements, and a Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion antibacterial assay against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Both coatings formed face-centered cubic (FCC) structures with smooth interfaces (Ra ≤ 5.3 nm) while preserving the single-phase β matrix of the substrate. The hardness increased from 192 HV (uncoated) to 1059 HV (TiN) and 1468 HV (TiAlN), and the adhesion quality was rated as HF2 and HF1, respectively. The surface wettability changed from hydrophilic (48°) to moderately hydrophobic (82°) with TiN and highly hydrophobic (103°) with TiAlN. Similarly, the diameter of the no-growth zones increased to 18.02 mm (TiN) and 19.09 mm (TiAlN) compared to 17.65 mm for uncoated TNTZ. The findings indicate that TiAlN, in particular, provided improved hardness, adhesion, and hydrophobicity. Preliminary bacteriostatic screening under diffusion conditions suggested a modest relative antibacterial response, though the effect was not statistically significant between coated and uncoated TNTZ. Statistical analysis confirmed no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05), indicating that only a preliminary bacteriostatic trend— rather than a definitive antibacterial effect—was observed. Both nitride coatings strengthened TNTZ without compromising its structural integrity, making TiAlN-coated TNTZ a promising candidate for next-generation orthopedic implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications)
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20 pages, 5964 KB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Bioactive Coatings with Bone Regeneration Potential and Anti-Resorptive Effect
by Maxim V. Maximov, Lea Sleiman, Oana Cristina Maximov, Roxana Doina Trușcă, Ludmila Motelica, Angela Spoială, Denisa Ficai, Anton Ficai and Sorina Dinescu
Coatings 2025, 15(10), 1120; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15101120 - 26 Sep 2025
Viewed by 325
Abstract
Bioactive coatings are of great interest for orthopedic applications, as they combine mechanical stability with biological functionality. In this study, stainless steel discs were coated with 45S5 bioactive glass doped with 1.0 wt% samarium by spin coating, followed by surface functionalization with benfotiamine [...] Read more.
Bioactive coatings are of great interest for orthopedic applications, as they combine mechanical stability with biological functionality. In this study, stainless steel discs were coated with 45S5 bioactive glass doped with 1.0 wt% samarium by spin coating, followed by surface functionalization with benfotiamine through spraying. This strategy integrates three components: a metallic substrate as a stable and inexpensive support, a bioactive glass layer with well-known osteogenic potential, and a superficial organic layer of benfotiamine, a lipid-soluble analog of vitamin B1 with higher bioavailability. Samarium doping was selected based on previously reported antimicrobial potential against clinically relevant staphylococci, while the rationale for benfotiamine functionalization derives from literature describing vitamin B1 derivatives with anti-resorptive and osteogenic activity. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microscopy. Bioactivity was assessed by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), where phosphate bands indicated the formation of calcium phosphate phases (CaPs). Wettability tests showed a reduced contact angle after benfotiamine functionalization. Cytocompatibility was evaluated by LDH and MTT assays with MC3T3-E1 cells, suggesting overall biocompatibility and enhanced cell viability after 7 days for the benfotiamine-functionalized coatings. The present findings support a simple and cost-effective route to multifunctional coatings with potential relevance for future orthopedic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications)
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19 pages, 4071 KB  
Article
Surface Characteristics of TiO2 Coatings Formed by Micro-Arc Oxidation in Ti-25Ta-xNb Alloys: The Influence of Microstructure and Applied Voltage
by Fernanda de Freitas Quadros, Diego Rafael Nespeque Corrêa, Marco Fosca, Marco Ortenzi, Olga N. Plakhotnaia, Carlos Roberto Grandini and Julietta V. Rau
Coatings 2025, 15(6), 730; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15060730 - 19 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 802
Abstract
Due to their excellent mechanical properties and good biocompatibility, titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used as biomaterials. However, when implanted in the body, metallic materials may cause serious complications such as wear and infection, leading to patient discomfort and, in some [...] Read more.
Due to their excellent mechanical properties and good biocompatibility, titanium (Ti) and its alloys are widely used as biomaterials. However, when implanted in the body, metallic materials may cause serious complications such as wear and infection, leading to patient discomfort and, in some cases, the need for revision surgery. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) is a surface modification technique that offers a promising strategy to overcome these challenges. This study investigated the impact of the microstructure of Ti-25 Ta-xNb alloys (x = 10, 20, and 30 wt%) and the variation in applied voltage during the MAO process on the characteristics of the TiO2 oxide coatings formed. The alloys were treated by MAO at 200, 250, and 300 V using a bioactive electrolyte containing Ca, P, Mg, and Ag. EDS, SEM, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and adhesion tests performed characterization. Results indicated that Nb addition stabilized the β phase and anticipated the potentiostatic regime. Increasing the voltage supplied to the system provides greater energy, prolonging the galvanostatic regime and promoting the formation of larger and more uniform pores. The oxide coating thickness ranged from approximately 3 to 10 μm, with a tendency to decrease at higher voltages. The coatings exhibited low c, with anatase and rutile phases predominating, the applied voltage and Nb concentration influencing their relative proportions. Even in small amounts, all electrolyte elements (P, Mg, and Ag) were successfully incorporated into the coatings under all conditions. Raman and XRD analyses confirmed a decrease in anatase and an increase in rutile phases with increasing voltage and Nb content. Mechanical testing revealed good adhesion of the coatings in all samples, with the best results obtained at 200 V. The findings demonstrate that the developed coatings exhibit promising characteristics for future surface engineering strategies aimed at improving the performance of metallic biomaterials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications)
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29 pages, 6857 KB  
Article
Physicochemical and Preliminary Biological Properties of Thin Films Based on Fluoride-Doped Hydroxyapatite in a Dextran Matrix for Biomedical Applications
by Liliana Ghegoiu, Daniela Predoi, Simona Liliana Iconaru, Carmen Steluta Ciobanu, Krzysztof Rokosz, Steinar Raaen, Monica Luminita Badea and Mihai Valentin Predoi
Coatings 2025, 15(5), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15050565 - 9 May 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 891
Abstract
A spin-coating technique was used to produce new thin films of fluoride-doped hydroxyapatite (HApF) and fluoride-doped hydroxyapatite in a dextran matrix (HApF-Dx) with the potential to be used as nanocoatings for various biomedical implants. The stability of the suspensions used in obtaining the [...] Read more.
A spin-coating technique was used to produce new thin films of fluoride-doped hydroxyapatite (HApF) and fluoride-doped hydroxyapatite in a dextran matrix (HApF-Dx) with the potential to be used as nanocoatings for various biomedical implants. The stability of the suspensions used in obtaining the thin films was confirmed by ultrasonic measurements with double-distilled water as a reference. The HApF and HApF-Dx thin films obtained by spin-coating showed diffraction patterns corresponding to hexagonal hydroxyapatite. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies confirmed the partial substitution of hydroxyl groups (-OH) by fluoride ions. The FTIR studies were conducted in order to highlight the presence of the functional group specific for the HAp in the samples and the influence of the dextran addition on the vibrational characteristics. The surface morphologies of the HApF and HApF-Dx thin films were explored using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and metallographic microscopy (MM). The surfaces of the HApF and HApF-Dx thin films were found to be smooth, homogenous, and nanostructured. The biocompatibility assays on HGF-1 cells confirmed that both coatings exhibited good cell viability for all the tested time intervals (24 and 48 h). The findings highlighted the potential of HApF and HApF-Dx coatings for biomedical applications. Additional information about the HGF-1 adherence and development on the surface of the HApF and HApF-Dx coatings was obtained using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy techniques. This research demonstrates that the spin-coating method can be successfully used to fabricate HApF and HApF-Dx nanocoatings for potential biomedical applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications)
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29 pages, 19699 KB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of 45S5 Bioactive Glass Doped with Samarium: From Synthesis and Physical Properties to Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Activity
by Maxim V. Maximov, Oana Cristina Maximov, Ludmila Motelica, Denisa Ficai, Ovidiu Cristian Oprea, Roxana Doina Trușcă, Liliana-Roxana Balahura (Stămat), Radu Pericleanu, Andreea Ștefania Dumbravă, Viorica Maria Corbu, Vasile-Adrian Surdu, Gabriel Vasilievici, Anton Ficai, Sorina Dinescu and Irina Gheorghe-Barbu
Coatings 2025, 15(4), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15040404 - 28 Mar 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1768
Abstract
This paper describes the synthesis and evaluation of samarium-doped 45S5 bioactive glass in various ratios. The bioactive glass samples were prepared using the sol–gel method and subjected to a heat treatment at 700 °C in normal atmosphere. The obtained samples were analyzed by [...] Read more.
This paper describes the synthesis and evaluation of samarium-doped 45S5 bioactive glass in various ratios. The bioactive glass samples were prepared using the sol–gel method and subjected to a heat treatment at 700 °C in normal atmosphere. The obtained samples were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) before and after the heat treatment to assess their thermal stability and compositional changes. The bioactivity of the samples was tested in vitro by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 36.5 ± 0.5 °C (normal human body temperature) and pH 7.4 (the pH of the human blood plasma), for several time periods. During the test, the pH and conductivity of the SBF solutions were monitored to track ion migration. After the in vitro test, the mass loss was evaluated and the formation of hydroxycarbonate apatite (HCA) was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. The microstructure of the bioactive glasses was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the density of bioactive glass was also determined using Archimedes’ principle. This study also investigated the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm properties of both undoped and samarium-doped 45S5 bioactive glass through qualitative and quantitative assays against a range of microorganisms, including Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and yeast reference strains. The results were compared with literature data on melt-derived bioactive glass to evaluate the effects of Sm doping and the sol–gel synthesis method on bioactive glass performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Films and Coatings with Biomedical Applications)
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