Physicochemical and Biocidal Properties of Nickel–Tin and Nickel–Tin—Titania Coatings

Abstract

The morphology and composition of Ni–Sn and Ni–Sn–TiO[2] coatings have been studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The electrochemical behavior of the obtained coatings in a 3% NaCl solution has been examined. The influence of the inclusion of titania in the Ni–Sn coating on the mechanical and antibacterial properties has been revealed. Dependences of the influence of incubation time and exposure to UV radiation on the concentration of living bacteria cells on the surface of the Ni–Sn–TiO[2] coating have been established. In bacterial tests with Ni–Sn–TiO[2] coatings deposited from the electrolyte containing 2 g/L TiO[2], the concentration of viable Staphylococcus aureus decreases from 130 to 90 CFU/mL and from 70 to 30 CFU/mL without and with UV irradiation, respectively.