Hasan, A., Al‑Hasani, F., Al‑Hassani, E. (2025). Enhancing antibacterial performance of powder metallurgy-fabricated Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys through small liquid metal gallium additions in biomedical applications. , 43(12), 1096-1112. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.160012.1954
Ammar R. Hasan; Fatimah J. Al‑Hasani; Emad S. Al‑Hassani. "Enhancing antibacterial performance of powder metallurgy-fabricated Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys through small liquid metal gallium additions in biomedical applications". , 43, 12, 2025, 1096-1112. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.160012.1954
Hasan, A., Al‑Hasani, F., Al‑Hassani, E. (2025). 'Enhancing antibacterial performance of powder metallurgy-fabricated Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys through small liquid metal gallium additions in biomedical applications', , 43(12), pp. 1096-1112. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.160012.1954
Hasan, A., Al‑Hasani, F., Al‑Hassani, E. Enhancing antibacterial performance of powder metallurgy-fabricated Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys through small liquid metal gallium additions in biomedical applications. , 2025; 43(12): 1096-1112. doi: 10.30684/etj.2025.160012.1954

Enhancing antibacterial performance of powder metallurgy-fabricated Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys through small liquid metal gallium additions in biomedical applications

Engineering and Technology Journal
Volume 43, Issue 12, December 2025, Pages 1096-1112    PDF (1.26 M)
Document Type: Research Paper
DOI: 10.30684/etj.2025.160012.1954
Authors
Ammar R. Hasan* 1; Fatimah J. Al‑Hasani2; Emad S. Al‑Hassani2
1Materials Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kufa, Iraq. Materials Engineering Dept., University of Technology-Iraq, Alsina’a street, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq.
2Materials Engineering Dept., University of Technology-Iraq, Alsina’a street, 10066 Baghdad, Iraq.
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of small liquid metal gallium additions (1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 wt%) on the antibacterial performance of Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys fabricated by the powder metallurgy method. The alloys were manufactured by sintering at 1250 °C to improve the antibacterial activity of Titanium and its alloys in biomaterial applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to identify the dominant compounds and phases after adding liquid gallium metal, and the antibacterial activity was also tested; the results indicate an increase in the Zone of inhibition of Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr with increasing gallium/Ga content, where the Zone of inhibition increased by approximately 12, 12.5 and 18% for Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr, respectively. This is attributed to Ga³⁺, which disrupts iron-dependent enzymes and metabolic pathways (e.g., DNA synthesis, electron transport), inhibiting bacterial growth. Adding Ga alters the alloy's surface topography and chemistry, reducing bacterial adhesion. A smoother or more hydrophobic surface prevents bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. Titanium and its alloys with liquid gallium metal were also shown to be non-toxic biomaterials with biocompatibility properties for MCF-10 cells. Ga additives for Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr improve antibacterial performance, making these alloys promising for medical implants and reducing infection risks without relying on antibiotics. Further optimization of Ga concentration and release kinetics is critical to balance efficacy and biocompatibility.

Highlights
  • Molds were designed and implemented for sample fabrication using powder metallurgy at 10, 15, and 30 mm.
  • Alloys were fabricated by powder metallurgy from Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr as reference materials.
  • New alloys were made by mixing Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr with 1–2.5% gallium using powder metallurgy.
  • Gallium (1–2.5%) improved antibacterial activity of Ti, Ti-15Mo, and Ti-45Zr alloys.
  • Gallium (1–2.5%) enhanced antiproliferative activity without cytotoxicity in the tested alloys.
Keywords
Gallium Titanium Titanium; 15 Molybdenum Titanium; 45 Zirconium Powder Metallurgy Antibacterial Activity Biomaterial
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