Galvanic cell metasurface modulating electron transfer on polymer implants for sterilization and osteointegration

Abstract

Bacterial infections challenge clinical medicine, and “electrostimulation” and “catalytic therapy” offer novel antibacterial strategies beyond antibiotics and metal ions. Herein, a bimetallic galvanic cell metasurface composed of biosafe zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), and tantalum (Ta) is fabricated on polymer implants using a developed plasma modification system (PIII&PHS). The galvanic cell metasurface harbors an asymmetric charge to modulate electron transfer, and enables “electron beam flow” to surpass the reactivity limits of metals. Remarkably, the galvanic cell metasurface adeptly modulates electron transfer to reduce the energy supply and triggers the bacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) imbalance to cause death. The antibacterial mechanism is validated, and the universality is demonstrated. Rat osteomyelitis, cranial defect, and rabbit femoral defect models corroborate the excellent osteointegration ability of the galvanic cell metasurface. The results reveal that incorporating biosafe bimetallic asymmetric charges into a metasurface is a novel and effective strategy for designing antibacterial medical materials.