Antibacterial properties of TiO2 nanotubes incorporated with ZnO

To obtain desirable Titanium (Ti) implant materials with antibacterial properties, different concentrations of zinc oxide (ZnO) were incorporated into TiO₂ nanotubes by a simple hydrothermal treatment. In vitro experiments showed that Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis were inhibited on ZnO incorporated samples. S. mutants and P. gingivalis densities were reduced on ZnO incorporated nanotube samples compared to controls after 7 days. In summary, results of this study showed that compared to plain TiO₂ nanotubes, the incorporated Ti with ZnO in Ti nanotubes provided great antibacterial ability and this should be further studied.