Fabrication of Ag containing antibacterial PEO coatings on pure Mg

Antibacterial plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings have been fabricated by in-situ incorporation of Ag particles on pure Mg. It was found that the Ag particles have been partly oxidized and incorporated into the layer during coating formation process. Ag containing PEO coatings can strongly inhibit the growth of S. aureus and the antibacterial efficiency of the coatings is mainly associated with the Ag concentration in the layer. The antibacterial rate of the coating reaches 99% and is maintained to be stable when sufficient Ag particles (above 1 wt%) are incorporated into the layer.