Antibacterial Activity of Hydrophobic TaN-Ag Nanocomposite Thin Film

This study investigates the antibacterial activity of TaN-Ag nanocomposite thin film as well as hydrophobic properties. TaN-Ag nanocomposite thin film was deposited on cleaned 316 stainless steel, which is suggested for surgical tools. The samples were synthesized using DC co-sputtering technique. After deposition, the heat treatment was done at 350 °C at different times. The crystalline structure, topography, and morphology of the thin films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Also, self-cleaning characteristics and hydrophilic properties were studied using contact angle tests. After four months, antibacterial test was performed using E.coli bacteria. The number of colonies was decreased up to 50%, after 6 hours without using UV irradiation during the incubating time. The results showed that the average size of nanoparticles was less than 50 nm and the self-cleaning properties of the TaN-Ag nanocomposite thin films were improved by surface roughness; so, the bacterial adhesion was reduced.