The study focuses on antibacterial Cu/C:F nanocomposites deposited onto polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK) substrates. The nanocomposites were prepared by means of physical vapour deposition; copper nanoparticles (NPs), produced with the use of a gas aggregation source, were coated with RF sputtered polytetrafluorethylene.
It was found that nanocomposites, formed with a properly tailored number of Cu NPs and C:F barrier thickness, offer a strong antibacterial effect against E. coli without any harm to MG63 cells.