Abstract

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) membranes that provide sound osteogenic activity while also providing effective bacteriostatic characteristics are an unmet therapeutic need for alveolar ridge enhancement. While biodegradable zinc (Zn)-based metals have tremendous potential as barrier membrane materials, their concentration-dependent duality of Zn 2+ actions poses a crucial therapeutic problem. At low levels, Zn 2+ shows constrained osteoinductive capabilities; at high levels, it has strong antibacterial effects but may reduce cell viability. To resolve this therapeutic paradox, we engineered a biomimetic polydopamine (PDA)-based nanohybrid coating with precisely controlled Cu 2+ concentrations (0–0.2 m M ) on pure Zn membranes. Our findings revealed three significant functional advantages of this membrane system: Broad-spectrum antibacterial effectiveness against bacterial microorganisms via synergistic Zn 2+ /Cu 2+ release, damaging bacterial membranes and reducing biofilm formation. Mechanical stability resists deformation-induced microcracks while showing compatibility with the bone healing timeline. Ion release kinetics are phase-specific and adjust dynamically to bone healing stages, with quick initial release for infection control, cumulative release during osteogenesis/angiogenesis, and sustained release for mineralization. Its wide use is due to balanced degradation and ion levels, tackling infection, durability, and bone growth. This simple one-step method gives a practical, multifunctional solution for complex alveolar defects with easy scaling up.