Surface modification of stainless steel for enhanced antibacterial activity

Benčina, Metka (avtor), Rawat, Niharika (avtor), Paul, Domen (avtor), Kovač, Janez (avtor), Iglič, Aleš (avtor), Junkar, Ita (avtor)

Stainless-steel grade 316L is widely used in medical and food processing applications due to its corrosion resistance and durability. However, its inherent lack of antibacterial properties poses a challenge in environments requiring high hygiene standards. This study investigates a novel surface modification approach combining electrochemical anodization and nonthermal plasma treatment to enhance the antibacterial efficacy of SS316L. The surface morphology, roughness, chemical composition, and wettability of the modified surfaces were systematically analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. SEM revealed the formation of tunable nanoporous structures with pore diameters ranging from 100 to 300 nm, depending on the applied anodizing voltage (40 and 60 V). AFM measurements demonstrated that surface roughness varied significantly with anodizing voltage, from 4.3 ± 0.4 nm at 40 V to 15.0 ± 0.6 nm at 60 V. XPS analysis confirmed the presence of Cr$_2$O$_3$, a key oxide for corrosion resistance, and revealed increased oxygen concentration after plasma treatment, indicating enhanced surface oxidation. Wettability studies showed that plasma treatment changed the surfaces to superhydrophilic, with WCAs below 5°. Antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was significantly improved, with plasma-treated samples exhibiting up to 92% reduction in bacterial adhesion. These results demonstrate that the combined anodization and plasma treatment process effectively enhances the antibacterial and surface properties of SS316L, making it a promising strategy for applications in medical and food processing industries.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: stainless-steel grade, nonthermal plasma treatment, antibacterial efficacy, anodization, bacteria, plasma, surface roughness, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FE - Fakulteta za elektrotehniko; MF - Medicinska fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: Str. 13361−13369
• Številčenje: Vol. 10, iss. 13
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-168483
• UDK: 621.7+621.9
• ISSN pri članku: 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c11424
• COBISS.SI-ID: 230771203
• Datum objave v RUL: 15.04.2025

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: ACS omega
• Skrajšan naslov: ACS omega
• Založnik: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 2470-1343
• COBISS.SI-ID: 525873945

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Projekti

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: P2-0082
• Naslov: Tankoplastne strukture in plazemsko inženirstvo površin

• Financer: ARIS - Javna agencija za znanstvenoraziskovalno in inovacijsko dejavnost Republike Slovenije
• Številka projekta: J3-3074
• Naslov: Inovativni postopki obdelave površin za napredne lastnosti medicinskega jekla