Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Electrochemistry RCH1

We are happy to announce that employees and a PhD student from Electrochemistry Group of our Department have obtained European patents for two inventions regarding surface modification of titanium-based implants.

The patents were granted to prof. Wojciech Simka, prof. Alicja Kazek-Kęsik and our PhD student Katarzyna Leśniak-Ziółkowska. The announcement about the publication of patents in the European database took place on August 16, 2023 and October 18, 2023. The patents concern a method for producing bioactive coatings on titanium alloys for use in implantology. The chemical structure of the coatings is based on calcium phosphates, which improves the ability of the modified implants to join to the patient's bone tissue. Such layers are produced by plasma electrolytic oxidation which has been the specialty of Electrochemistry Group for years.

An innovative aspect in the above-mentioned patents is the use of additives for electrolytic baths, respectively: silver and copper compounds in the form of oxides or zinc and silver compounds in the form of phosphates. Water-based solutions composed in this way for the electrochemical process allow for the incorporation of appropriate elements into the structure of the coatings, which is responsible for imparting antibacterial properties to the modified surfaces. Surfaces with such characteristics reduce the risk of infection after implantation, which has a positive effect on the patient's acceptance of the implant and shortens the recovery time.

Congratulations to the authors and we wish you further success!