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

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

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.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: nanotubes, electrolyte, plasma
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FE - Fakulteta za elektrotehniko; ZF - Zdravstvena fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: Str. 49085-49095
• Številčenje: Vol. 11, issue 33
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-191285
• UDK: 620.3
• ISSN pri članku: 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.6c00587
• COBISS.SI-ID: 305281539
• Datum objave v RUL: 13.11.2026

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.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: nanocevke, elektrolit, plazma