Antibacterial-functionalized Ag loaded-hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) process

[Display omitted] •Antibacterial-functionalized Ag-loaded HAp coatings were fabricated by EPD process.•Ag ions were adsorbed around surface of HAp particles and deposited with them.•Coatings have strong adhesion, not only for HAp particles but also for loaded Ag. Antibacterial-functionalized Ag-loaded hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings were successfully fabricated by the EPD process, with adding various concentrations of Ag ions. Loaded Ag ions were adsorbed around the surface of HAp particles in the suspension, which made the particles become positively charged, and then were deposited together with the HAp particles onto the surface of titanium substrate. The thickness of deposited Ag-loaded HAp coating was dependent on the Ag addition amount and the coatings have strong adhesion, not only for the deposited HAp particles but also for the loaded Ag ions, due to the use of Mg2+ as inorganic binder. The Ag-loaded HAp coatings show potential application in implant surgery, owing to the surface antibacterial function for preventing bacterial infection in surgery, for improving surgical success.