Antibacterial effect of incorporating silver ions in electrochemically deposited hydroxyapatite coating: An experimental study.

XRD and EDX analyses confirmed the presence of Ag in all coatings deposited using electrochemical method and silver. The mean thickness coating was noted to be highest in EHA/AG group (102.20 4.20 um) followed by PHA (76.40 2.20 um). Mean coating thicknesses in other groups were: PHA/AgNO3 (76.20 1.29 um); EHA (32.98 2.50 um); EHA/ Ag/2-layers (30.70 2.40 um); EHA/AgNO3 (8.60 0.60 um). The average silver content measured was highest with 6.55% in EHA/Ag/2-layer followed by 3.92% in EHA/AgNO3, 0.38% in EHA/Ag and 0.10% in PHA/AgNO3. The electrochemical technique deposited a uniform coating onto the disc surface with clearly defined microcrystals as compared to the PHA-coated discs where the surface appeared smoother. The EHA coating, however, appeared less dense when compared with the PHA coating. DECLARATIONS