Sol-gel coatings for protection and biofunctionalization of stainless-steel prosthetic intracorporeal devices in Latin-America

Abstract

Latin-American researchers, collaborating with the international community, have contributed in the last decades to sol-gel knowledge related to the generation of coatings on metallic bioimplants. Sol-gel technology allows the formation of relatively thin (1–2 microns) adherent, flexible and compact coatings that can be used as protection against corrosive media and for post-functionalization. Regarding low carbon surgical grade stainless steel, the application of silica-based sol-gel coatings with different types of reinforcement and incorporating bioactive or antibacterial particles as a second phase, generates promising corrosion protection properties within physiological environments. In addition, they can prevent infections and stimulate bone formation/growth. This work explores the corrosion protection features provided by thin functionalized silica sol gel coatings to be used in orthopaedic devices.