Antibacterial Properties of Low Silver Content ZrCu-Based PVD Thin Film Metallic Glasses: Effect of a Femtosecond Laser Texturing

Advanced surfaces combining biocompatibility with antibacterial properties are of prime interest in the biomedical field. In this context, ternary thin film metallic glasses of the Zr–Cu–Ag system with low silver contents (2 and 4 at. %) were deposited by magnetron sputtering and studied regarding their mechanical, microstructural, and antibacterial properties. The effect of further laser texturing of the PVD-deposited films, promoting Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSSs), was also investigated. Results were then discussed in light of the chemical composition of films on the one hand and on the topographic characteristics of laser-treated surfaces on the other hand. Ternary films exhibited the expected metallic glass structure, with good associated mechanical properties. Besides, the low contents of Ag were sufficient to promote a significant antibacterial action against Escherichia coli, still enhanced by ultrafast laser texturing. Textured areas were also identified as prone to limit bacterial colonization due to the combined effect of the hydrophobic character of the treated surfaces together with a killing contact interaction.