Abstract
Tantalum and silver are recognized for their outstanding biocompatibility and antibacterial ability, respectively. However, owing to their distinct chemical and physical properties, synthesizing alloys and composites by using Ta and Ag presents a considerable challenge. In this study, Ta-Ag composites, exhibiting good antibacterial ability, were successfully produced by using a solid-state cold spray technique. Notably, intriguing correlations were observed between Ag microstructure and antibacterial ability. To unravel this correlation, a comprehensive experimental and simulation analyze were conducted. It is found that the volume ratio of Ta to Ag in the feedstock powder result in different deformation histories for Ag during the cold spray process. This, in turn, leads to the formation of distinctive Ag microstructures within Ta-Ag composites. The varied Ag microstructures results in different Ag dissolution ability and the formation of an insoluble AgCl layer exhibiting varying morphologies, when Ag exposed in a high chorine ion environment, like in human body fluids. This consequently influences the concentration of Ag ion and ultimately determines antibacterial ability. The study demonstrates that Ag release rate and the related antibacterial properties could be alternatively controlled by changing Ag contains or by creating different deposition process by adjusting CS parameter.
