Electrophoretic deposition of hydroxyapatite-shrimp crusts nanocomposite thin films for bone implant studies.

Hydroxyapatite-shrimp crusts nanocomposite thin films were deposited on titanium substrates by electrophoretic technique, under different preparation conditions, for bone implant applications. Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, atomic force microscope, X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscope, and scanning electron microscope were employed to characterise the synthesised films. Vickers' micro-hardness measurements revealed a value of 502 HV for the hydroxyapatite films and 314.55 HV for the nanocomposite films. XRD results confirmed the polycrystalline nature of the hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite-shrimp nanocomposite films. The in-vitro bioactivity test of the synthesised films in simulated body fluid showed very low dissolution rate. Antibacterial activity of synthesised films was investigated against E. coli bacteria.