Novel Zinc / Tungsten Carbide Nanocomposite as Bioabsorbable Implant

Nanoparticle-Enabled Zn-0.1Mg Alloy with Long-Term Stability, Refined Degradation, and Favorable Biocompatibility for Biodegradable Implant Devices

Zinc-based alloys, specifically Zn-Mg, have garnered considerable attention as promising materials for biodegradable implants due to their favorable mechanical strength, appropriate corrosion rate, and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, the alloy's lack of mechanical stability and integrity, resulting from ductility loss induced by age hardening at room temperature, hampers its practical bioapplication. In this study, ceramic nanoparticles have been successfully incorporated into the Zn-Mg alloy system, leading to a significant improvement in long-term stability as well as mechanical strength and ductility. In addition, this study represents the first investigation of Zn-based nanocomposites both in vitro and in vivo to comprehend the influence of nanoparticles on the degradation behavior and biocompatibility of the Zn system. The findings indicate that the incorporation of WC nanoparticles effectively refines and stabilizes the degradation behavior of Zn-Mg without negatively impacting the cytocompatibility of the alloy. The subcutaneous implantation and femoral implantation further prove the benefits of nanoparticle incorporation and found no negative effects. Collectively, Zn-Mg-WC nanocomposites yield great potential for implant usage.

A novel functionalized CuTi hybrid nanocomposites: facile one-pot mycosynthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antifouling and wastewater disinfection performance

BACKGROUND

The continuous progress in nanotechnology is rapid and extensive with overwhelming futuristic aspects. Through modernizing inventive synthesis protocols, a paradigm leapfrogging in novelties and findings are channeled toward fostering human health and sustaining the surrounding environment. Owing to the overpricing and jeopardy of physicochemical synthesizing approaches, the quest for ecologically adequate schemes is incontestable. By developing environmentally friendly strategies, mycosynthesis of nanocomposites has been alluring.

RESULTS

Herein, a novel architecture of binary CuO and TiO2 in nanocomposites form was fabricated using bionanofactory Candida sp., for the first time. For accentuating the structural properties of CuTi nanocomposites (CuTiNCs), various characterization techniques were employed. UV-Vis spectroscopy detected SPR at 350 nm, and XRD ascertained the crystalline nature of a hybrid system. However, absorption peaks at 8, 4.5, and 0.5 keV confirmed the presence of Cu, Ti and oxygen, respectively, in an undefined assemblage of polygonal-spheres of 15-75 nm aggregated in the fungal matrix of biomolecules as revealed by EDX, SEM and TEM. However, FTIR, ζ-potential and TGA reflected long-term stability (- 27.7 mV) of self-functionalized CuTiNCs. Interestingly, a considerable and significant biocide performance was detected at 50 µg/mL of CuTiNCs against some human and plant pathogens, compared to monometallic counterparts. Further, CuTiNCs (200 µg/mL) ceased significantly the development of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans biofilms by 80.3 ± 1.4, 68.7 ± 3.0 and 55.7 ± 3.0%, respectively. Whereas, 64.63 ± 3.5 and 89.82 ± 4.3% antimicrofouling potentiality was recorded for 100 and 200 µg/ml of CuTiNCs, respectively; highlighting their destructive effect against marine microfoulers cells and decaying of their extracellular polymeric skeleton as visualized by SEM. Moreover, CuTiNCs (100 and 200 µg/ml) exerted significantly outstanding disinfection potency within 2 h by reducing the microbial load (i.e., total plate count, mold & yeast, total coliforms and faecal Streptococcus) in domestic and agricultural effluents reached >50%.

CONCLUSION

The synergistic efficiency provided by CuNPs and TiNPs in mycofunctionalized CuTiNCs boosted its recruitment as antiphytopathogenic, antibiofilm, antimicrofouling and disinfectant agent in various realms.

Methods for improving the properties of zinc for the application of biodegradable vascular stents

Biodegradable stents can support vessels for an extended period, maintain vascular patency, and progressively degrade once vascular remodeling is completed, thereby reducing the constraints of traditional metal stents. An ideal degradable stent must have good mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility. Zinc has become a new type of biodegradable metal after magnesium and iron, owing to its suitable degradation rate and good biocompatibility. However, zinc's poor strength and ductility make it unsuitable as a vascular stent material. Therefore, this paper reviewed the primary methods for improving the overall properties of zinc. By discussing the mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility of various improvement strategies, we found that alloying is the most common, simple, and effective method to improve mechanical properties. Deformation processing can further improve the mechanical properties by changing the microstructures of zinc alloys. Surface modification is an important means to improve the biological activity, blood compatibility and corrosion resistance of zinc alloys. Meanwhile, structural design can not only improve the mechanical properties of the vascular stents, but also endow the stents with special properties such as negative Poisson 's ratio. Manufacturing zinc alloys with excellent degradation properties, improved mechanical properties and strong biocompatibility and exploring their mechanism of interaction with the human body remain areas for future research.

Tungsten Carbide Nanolayer Formation by Ion Beam Mixing with Argon and Xenon Ions for Applications as Protective Coatings

A novel nanolayer is formed by means of ion irradiation applicable as protective coating. Tungsten carbide (WC)-rich nanolayers were produced at room temperature by applying ion beam mixing of various carbon/tungsten (C/W) multilayer structures using argon and xenon ions with energy in the range of 40-120 keV and fluences between 0.25 and 3 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm². The hardness of the nanolayers was estimated by means of standard scratch test applying an atomic force microscope equipped with a diamond-coated tip (radius < 10 nm); the applied load was 2 μN. The irradiation-induced hardness of the nanolayers correlated with the areal density of the WC; with the increasing amount of WC, the hardness of the nanolayer increased. The produced layers had an order of magnitude better corrosion resistance than a commercially available WC cermet circular saw. If the WC amount was high enough, the hardness of the layer became higher than that of the investigated WC cermet. These findings allow us to tune and design the mechanical and chemical properties of the WC protective coatings.

Microstructures, mechanical and corrosion properties of graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced zinc matrix composites for implant applications

Zinc (Zn)-based alloys and composites are gaining increasing interest as promising biodegradable implant materials due to their appropriate biodegradation rates and biological functionalities. However, the inadequate mechanical strength and ductility of pure Zn have restricted its application. In this study, Zn matrix composites (ZMCs) reinforced with 0.1-0.4 wt.% graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) fabricated via powder metallurgy were investigated as potential biodegradable implant materials. The microstructures, mechanical properties, and corrosion behaviors of the GNP-reinforced ZMCs were characterized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, compression testing, and electrochemical and immersion testing in Hanks' balanced salt solution (HBSS). The microstructural study revealed that the GNP was uniformly dispersed in the ZMCs after ball milling and sintering at 420°C for 6 h. The microhardness, compressive yield strength, ultimate compressive strength, and compressive strain of the ZMC-0.2GNP were 69 HV, 123 MPa, 247 MPa, and 23 %, respectively, improvements of ∼ 18 %, 50%, ∼ 28%, and ∼ 15% compared to pure Zn. The corrosion rate of the ZMCs were lower than that of the pure Zn in HBSS, and the ZMC-0.2GNP composite exhibited the lowest corrosion rate of 0.09 mm/y as measured by electrochemical testing. Biocompatibility assessment indicated that the diluted extracts of pure Zn and GNP-reinforced ZMCs with concentrations of 12.5% and 6.25% exhibited no cytotoxicity after cell culturing for up to 5 days, and the diluted extracts of ZMC-0.2 GNP composite revealed more than 90% cell viability after cell culturing of 3 days, showing the satisfying cytocompatibility. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biodegradable Zn is a promising candidate material for orthopedic implant applications. Nonetheless, the inadequate mechanical strength and ductility of pure Zn limited its clinical application. In this study, Zn matrix composites (ZMCs) reinforced with 0.1-0.4 wt.% graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) were developed via powder metallurgy, and the reinforcing efficacy of GNP on their mechanical properties was investigated. The addition of GNP significantly improved the compressive properties of ZMCs, with the Zn-0.2GNP composite exhibiting the best compressive properties, including 123 MPa compressive yield strength, 247 MPa ultimate compressive strength, and 22.9% compressive strain. Further, the 12.5% concentration extract of the ZMCs exhibited no cytotoxicity after cell culturing for 5 d toward SaOS2 cells.

Recent Developments in Zn-Based Biodegradable Materials for Biomedical Applications

Zn-based biodegradable alloys or composites have the potential to be developed to next-generation orthopedic implants as alternatives to conventional implants to avoid revision surgeries and to reduce biocompatibility issues. This review summarizes the current research status on Zn-based biodegradable materials. The biological function of Zn, design criteria for orthopedic implants, and corrosion behavior of biodegradable materials are briefly discussed. The performance of many novel zinc-based biodegradable materials is evaluated in terms of biodegradation, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties. Zn-based materials perform a significant role in bone metabolism and the growth of new cells and show medium degradation without the release of excessive hydrogen. The addition of alloying elements such as Mg, Zr, Mn, Ca, and Li into pure Zn enhances the mechanical properties of Zn alloys. Grain refinement by the application of post-processing techniques is effective for the development of many suitable Zn-based biodegradable materials.

Experimental study on novel biodegradable Zn-Fe-Si alloys

Bioabsorbable metals are increasingly attracting attention for their potential use as materials for degradable implant devices. Zinc (Zn) alloys have shown great promises due to their good biocompatibility and favorable degradation rate. However, it has been difficult to maintain an appropriate balance among strength, ductility, biocompatibility, and corrosion rate for Zn alloys historically. In this study, the microstructure, chemical composition, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion rate of a new ternary zinc-iron-silicon (Zn-Fe-Si) alloy system was studied as a novel material for potential biodegradable implant applications. The results demonstrated that the in situ formed Fe-Si intermetallic phases enhanced the mechanical strength of the material while maintaining a favorable ductility. With Fe-Si reinforcements, the microhardness of the Zn alloys was enhanced by up to 43%. The tensile strength was increased by up to 76% while elongation to failure remained above 30%. Indirect cytotoxicity testing showed the Zn-Fe-Si system had good biocompatibility. Immersion testing revealed the corrosion rate of Zn-Fe-Si system was not statistically different from pure Zn. To understand the underlying phase formation mechanism, the reaction process in this ternary system during the processing was also studied via phase evolution and Gibbs free energy analysis. The results suggest the Zn-Fe-Si ternary system is a promising new material for bioabsorbable metallic medical devices.

Zn-Mg-WC Nanocomposites for Bioresorbable Cardiovascular Stents: Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Fatigue, Shelf Life, and Corrosion

Zinc (Zn) and Zn alloys have been studied as potential materials for bioresorbable stents (BRSs) in the last decade due to their favorable biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, most Zn alloys lack the necessary combination of strength, ductility, fatigue resistance, corrosion rate (CR), and thermal stability needed for such applications. In this study, nanoparticles made of tungsten carbide (WC) were successfully incorporated into Zn alloyed with 0.5 wt % magnesium (Mg) and evaluated for their suitability for BRS applications. Specifically, the resulting Zn-0.5Mg-WC nanocomposite's microstructure, mechanical properties, in vitro CR, and thermal stability were evaluated. The Zn-0.5Mg-WC nanocomposite had excellent mechanical strength [ultimate tensile strength (UTS) > 250 MPa], elongation to failure (>30%), and a suitable in vitro CR (∼0.02 mm/y) for this clinical application. Moreover, the Zn-0.5Mg-WC nanocomposite survived 10 million cycles of tensile loading (stress ratio, R = 0.053) when the maximum stress was 80% of the yield stress. Its ductility was also retained during a 90-day thermal stability study, indicating an excellent shelf life. Stent prototypes were fabricated using this composition and were successfully deployed during bench testing without fracture. These results show that the Zn-0.5Mg-WC nanocomposite is a promising material for BRS applications. In vivo studies are underway to validate both biocompatibility, stent function, and degradation.

Electrodeposition Based Preparation of Zn–Ni Alloy and Zn–Ni–WC Nano-Composite Coatings for Corrosion-Resistant Applications

Zinc (Zn) is one of the five most widely consumed metals in the world. Indeed, more than 50% of all the zinc produced is used in zinc-galvanizing processes to protect steel from corrosion. Zn-based coatings have the potential for use as a corrosion-resistant barrier, but their wider use is restricted due to the poor mechanical properties of Zn that are needed to protect steel and other metals from rusting. The addition of other alloying elements such as Ni (Nickle) and WC (Tungsten Carbide) to Zn coating can improve its performance. This study investigates, the corrosion performance of Zn–Ni coating and Zn–Ni–WC composite nanocoatings fabricated on mild steel substrate in an environmentally friendly bath solution. The influence of WC nanoparticles on Zn–Ni deposition was also investigated. The surface morphologies, texture coefficients via XRD (X-ray diffraction), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), and EDS (Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) were analyzed. The electrochemical test such as polarization curves (PC) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) resulted in a corrosion rate of 0.6948 Å/min for Zn–Ni–WC composite nanocoating, and 1.192 Å/min for Zn–Ni coating. The results showed that the Zn–Ni–WC composite nanocoating reduced the corrosion rate by 41.71% and showed an 8.56% increase in microhardness compared to the hardness of the Zn–Ni coating. These results are augmented to better wettable characteristics of zinc, which developed good interfacial metallurgical adhesion amongst the Ni and WC elements. The results of the novel Zn–Ni–WC nanocomposite coatings achieved a great improvement of mechanical property and corrosion protection to the steel substrate surface.

Recent research and progress of biodegradable zinc alloys and composites for biomedical applications: Biomechanical and biocorrosion perspectives

Biodegradable metals (BMs) gradually degrade in vivo by releasing corrosion products once exposed to the physiological environment in the body. Complete dissolution of biodegradable implants assists tissue healing, with no implant residues in the surrounding tissues. In recent years, three classes of BMs have been extensively investigated, including magnesium (Mg)-based, iron (Fe)-based, and zinc (Zn)-based BMs. Among these three BMs, Mg-based materials have undergone the most clinical trials. However, Mg-based BMs generally exhibit faster degradation rates, which may not match the healing periods for bone tissue, whereas Fe-based BMs exhibit slower and less complete in vivo degradation. Zn-based BMs are now considered a new class of BMs due to their intermediate degradation rates, which fall between those of Mg-based BMs and Fe-based BMs, thus requiring extensive research to validate their suitability for biomedical applications. In the present study, recent research and development on Zn-based BMs are reviewed in conjunction with discussion of their advantages and limitations in relation to existing BMs. The underlying roles of alloy composition, microstructure, and processing technique on the mechanical and corrosion properties of Zn-based BMs are also discussed.

Fabrication and Characterization of In Situ Zn-TiB2 Nanocomposite

Zinc (Zn) matrix composite has been newly discovered categories of biodegradable materials. With a combination of chemical stability, thermal stability and biocompatibility, ceramic nanoparticles outperformed intermetallics of zinc alloys with inherent advantages of retaining a proper corrosion rate and an exceptional ductility. Compared with Zn alloys, Zn matrix nanocomposites showed an unprecedented strengthening without sacrifices of corrosion rate, which were introduced by intermetallics. In this work, in situ titanium diboride (TiB₂) reinforced Zn nanocomposite was prepared via a few cost-effective and economical methods: flux-assisted synthesis (FAS), ultrasound-assisted nanoparticle homogenization and hot rolling. 3 vol.% of TiB₂ nanoparticles were synthesized with an average size of 454nm, followed by molten salt assisted ultrasound homogenization and hot rolling. Hot-rolled (HR) Zn-TiB₂ performed high strength and high ductility, mostly due to precipitation strengthening (Orowan strengthening). Yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) increased by 90% and 45%, respectively, while the elongation to failure retained 23%. The mechanical performance of Zn-TiB₂ made it promise to serve as an innovative biodegradable material for load-bearing applications.