New insights of Nb(2)O(5)-based coatings on the 316L SS surfaces: enhanced biological responses

This communication aims to propose new insights of Nb(2)O(5)-based coatings on the 316L SS surface with great prospects to be used in the dentistry field as brackets. The Nb(2)O(5) thin film was incorporated into the 316L SS by using PVD method. For this purpose, the studied system was characterized structurally and morphologically by using AFM, FTIR-IRRAS, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Biological assays were performed using human gingival fibroblast cell-line HGF-1. In agreement with FTIR and Raman results, the XPS technique indicates that Nb is present in an oxidation state assigned to Nb(2)O(5.) Furthermore, the coatings produced by PVD technique are less toxic and induces less inflammation in gingival cells (cell-line HGF-1), suggesting the strategy of use Nb(2)O(5) thin film to cover the 316L SS promoted since its protection of the physiological environment to its biocompatibility improvement. [Image: see text]