MAPLE-prepared graphene oxide-based coatings for improved orthopedic screws used in knee interventions
Authors:   Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Constantinescu Sorin , Gherasim Oana ,   Department of Lasers, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Măgurele, Romania, Dorcioman Gabriela ,   Department of Lasers, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Măgurele, Romania, Grumezescu Valentina ,   Department of Lasers, National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics, Măgurele, Romania, Iosub Gheorghe ,   Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Niculescu Adelina-Gabriela ,   Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical 
Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania; Research Institute of the University of Bucharest – ICUB, University of Bucharest, Romania, Moldoveanu Elena-Theodora ,   Department of Science and Engineering of Oxide Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Chemical 
Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania, Rădulescu Dragoş Mihai ,   Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania, Grumezescu Alexandru Mihai ,   Engineering and Biotechnology, National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, Romania; Research Institute of the University of Bucharest – ICUB, University of Bucharest, Romania
Published: November 2024

Orthopedic screws are subjected to high mechanical stress, corrosive environment, and microbial colonization, which may cumulatively lead to implant failure and periprosthetic joint infections. To overcome these issues, this study has focused on modifying the surface chemistry and topography of screws utilized in knee intervention toward enhancing their mechanical and biological behaviors. Specifically, this study has explored the optimization of composite coatings made of polycaprolactone (PCL), graphene oxide (GO), and Meropenem (MRP) via the matrix-assisted pulsed laser evaporation (MAPLE) technique. The PCL/GO/MRP coatings aimed to upgrade the surfaces of the implantable fixation devices, offering superior antimicrobial properties, reduced biofilm formation, and better mechanical characteristics. Comprehensive physicochemical analyses, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman microscopy, confirmed uniform deposition, efficient material transfer, and preservation of functional groups. The developed coatings displayed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, with a marked reduction in biofilm formation compared to uncoated surfaces. Thus, this work highlights the potential of the designed PCL/GO/MRP coatings as a strategy to enhance the biocompatibility and longevity of orthopedic screws, minimize complications related to implant-associated infections in knee surgeries, and ultimately improve post-surgical outcomes to increase patients’ quality of life.