Next-generation suturing: Moisture-pressurized and ultrasonic synthesis of Cu-Ag-Al nanorods for antibacterial dental and dialysis applications.

Cu-Ag-Al trimetallic nanorods were synthesized using a moisture-pressurized ultrasonic method and evaluated as antibacterial coatings for dental and dialysis sutures. The nanorods exhibited a mesoporous structure (surface area = 28.6 m2 g-1) and strong crystalline stability confirmed by XRD, FESEM, BET, TGA, and Raman analyses. The coated sutures showed concentration-dependent antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, achieving up to 86.5 % inhibition against E. coli and 74.2 % against S. aureus, with durable adhesion after washing. Cytotoxicity assays on KB and U87 cells revealed selective anticancer potential and acceptable biocompatibility at low doses. The developed ultrasonic synthesis offers a rapid, energy-efficient, and scalable route compared with conventional hydrothermal and microwave methods. The coatings maintained high stability, reduced the risk of nanoparticle release, and exhibited environmental and clinical safety potential. The enhanced antibacterial effect is attributed to synergistic reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and membrane disruption arising from the Cu-Ag-Al interaction. This scalable, low-cost approach demonstrates promise for next-generation infection-resistant sutures in clinical dentistry and dialysis applications.