Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) Coatings for Biomedical Implants: A Review on Enhancing Antibacterial Efficacy Through Controlled Antibiotic Release

The use of biomedical implants has significantly enhanced patient survival rates and overall quality of life. However, bacterial infections caused by bacterial adhesion and the subsequent formation of biofilm on the surface of the implants are challenging clinical issues, leading to implant failure and high social and economic costs. Modification of the surface of the implants with antibacterial coatings is a promising technique to address implant-associated bacterial infection problems. One strategy to fabricate bactericidal antibacterial coatings is to load antibacterial agents, like antibiotics—the most important type of antibacterial drug for killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria—at therapeutic doses into the coatings and subsequently release them, ideally in a controlled way. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is a simple, affordable, and eco-friendly method to produce high-performance, multifunctional coatings with desired antibacterial properties. This review examines the antibacterial activity of antibiotic-loaded PEO coatings, offering valuable insights for the development of novel, high-performance antibacterial coatings that meet clinical requirements.