Growth of nanotubular flowers using environment-friendly electrolytes and their biomedical applications

Rawat, Niharika (author), Benčina, Metka (author), Kralj-Iglič, Veronika (author), Lakota, Katja (author), Žigon, Polona (author), Šetina, Barbara (author), Iglič, Aleš (author), Kovač, Janez (author), Junkar, Ita (author)

Plasma-induced electrochemical anodization (PA) is introduced as an alternative strategy for fabricating titanium oxide nanostructures using environmentally benign, chloride-based electrolytes. Unlike conventional anodization methods that rely on metallic cathodes and fluoride-containing acidic electrolytes, the PA approach employs an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) as the cathode, enabling anodization in aqueous sodium chloride solutions with optional ethylene glycol addition. By adjusting electrolyte composition and processing conditions, hierarchical flower-like microstructures composed of densely packed nanotube-like TiO2 features were obtained. The most uniform and well-defined structures were obtained with 2.5 M NaCl and ethylene glycol. Additional oxygen plasma treatment modified surface chemistry and enhanced wettability without altering surface morphology. Biological evaluation demonstrated that PA-treated surfaces significantly reduced platelet adhesion and activation, decreased Escherichia coli attachment by up to 92%, and promoted endothelial cell adhesion and spreading. Smooth muscle cells also exhibited increased adhesion to modified surfaces; however, their morphology was altered, with reduced spreading and a nonuniform distribution. Overall, the more pronounced response of endothelial cells indicates a favorable trend toward endothelialisation. These findings demonstrate that plasma-induced electrochemical anodization enables the fabrication of titanium surfaces with multifunctional biological performance, combining reduced thrombogenicity and bacterial adhesion with enhanced endothelial response. The use of fluoride-free electrolytes further highlights the potential of this approach for applications in cardiovascular and other blood-contacting biomedical devices.

• Language: English
• Keywords: nanotubes, electrolyte, plasma
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering; ZF - Faculty of Health Sciences
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: Str. 49085-49095
• Numbering: Vol. 11, issue 33
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-191285
• UDC: 620.3
• ISSN on article: 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c00587
• COBISS.SI-ID: 305281539
• Publication date in RUL: 13.11.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: ACS omega
• Shortened title: ACS omega
• Publisher: American Chemical Society
• ISSN: 2470-1343
• COBISS.SI-ID: 525873945

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: nanocevke, elektrolit, plazma