Electrochemical reduction as a method to engineer black titania nanotube arrays with enhanced antibacterial and cytocompatible properties


Yakar E., KILIÇARSLAN B., GÜLTEKİNOĞLU BAYRAM M., BAYRAM C.

Journal of Materials Research, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1557/s43578-026-01904-8
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Materials Research
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, ABI/INFORM, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, INSPEC, Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Biomaterial, Electrochemical synthesis, Surface chemistry
  • Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Black titania nanotube arrays (TiO2 NTAs) were produced using a two-step electrochemical method. This process aimed to narrow the bandgap of the material to increase visible light absorption and promote structural defects such as Ti3+ ions and oxygen vacancies (VO). Cathodic polarization successfully reduced the bandgap from ⁓ 3.2 to ⁓ 2.9 eV while preserving the anatase structure of TiO2, and suggested the presence of Ti3+- and VO-related defects on the surface. Both normal and black nanotube-coated surfaces significantly inhibited bacterial growth. Under illuminated and dark conditions used in this study, black TiO2 did not exhibit a statistically significant antibacterial advantage over normal TiO2, and the observed antibacterial effect was largely attributed to nanotopography. Additionally, in vitro cytotoxicity tests with SAOS-2 cells revealed that black TiO2 NTAs significantly increased cell viability and adhesion to the surface. These results suggest that these defect-engineered black TiO2 NTAs, hold promising potential for biomedical applications.