Cold sprayed Ta-Ag composites: mechanistic insight into enhanced corrosion resistance and antibacterial ability

In this work, cold spray was used to produce Ta-xAg metal matrix composites (MMCs). The addition of Ag prevents Ta matrix from corrosion and simultaneously induces excellent antibacterial ability. Additionally, varied soft Ag volumes in feedstock powder led to a synergistic deposition phenomenon, profoundly affecting Ag dissolution and correlated antibacterial performance via a microstructural mechanism. Taking advantage of it, a robust antibacterial ability can be facilitated by minimal Ag usage.