In vitro investigation of biodegradable polymeric coating for corrosion resistance of Mg-6Zn-Ca alloy in simulated body fluid

Polymeric Coatings for Magnesium Alloys for Biodegradable Implant Application: A Review

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are a very attractive material of construction for biodegradable temporary implants. However, Mg alloys suffer unacceptably rapid corrosion rates in aqueous environments, including physiological fluid, that may cause premature mechanical failure of the implant. This necessitates a biodegradable surface barrier coating that should delay the corrosion of the implant until the fractured/damaged bone has healed. This review takes a brief account of the merits and demerits of various existing coating methodologies for the mitigation of Mg alloy corrosion. Since among the different coating approaches investigated, no single coating recipe seems to address the degradation control and functionality entirely, this review argues the need for polymer-based and biodegradable composite coatings.

Characteristics of electrospun chitosan/carbon nanotube coatings deposited on AZ31 magnesium alloy

Mg-based biomaterials are commonly used as biodegradable orthopedic implants (e.g., bone regeneration applications). However, achieving high biocompatibility and corrosion resistance has remained a challenge to be tackled. In this work, to investigate various fabricated coatings (with and without pre- anodizing), five categories of samples are considered: (a) bare Mg alloy (Mg), (b) Anodized Mg alloy (Mg-A), (c) CS-coated Mg alloy (Mg-C), (d) CS-coated anodized Mg alloy (Mg-AC), and (e) CS-CNT-coated anodized Mg alloy (Mg-ACC). These samples were characterized by using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopes (FE-SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Raman Spectroscopy. The adhesion within the coated samples was compared. Then, the effects of the coatings were evaluated by comparing wettability, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility for bare and coated samples. The adhesion test showed that the coatings exhibited higher adhesion for Mg-AC and Mg-ACC compared to Mg-C. Desired wettability was achieved as the contact angles of coated samples were in the range of 55°- 65°. Electrochemical impedance and polarization as well as immersion tests showed higher corrosion resistance for coated samples. The composite coated sample showed improved cell adhesion since the osteoblast cells covered almost the entire surface of the sample. Moreover, osteoblast cell viability for the sample was around 40% higher than that of the bare sample.

A comprehensive review of properties of the biocompatible thin films on biodegradable Mg alloys

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have attracted attention as biodegradable materials for biomedical applications owing to their mechanical properties being comparable to that of bone. Mg is a vital trace element in many enzymes and thus forms one of the essential factors for human metabolism. However, before being used in biomedical applications, the early stage or fast degradation of Mg and its alloys in the physiological environment should be controlled. The degradation of Mg alloys is a critical criterion that can be controlled by a surface modification which is an effective process for conserving their desired properties. Different coating methods have been employed to modify Mg surfaces to provide good corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. This review aims to provide information on different coatings and discuss their physical and biological properties. Finally, the current withstanding challenges have been highlighted and discussed, followed by shedding some light on future perspectives.

Silane coatings modified with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles to enhance the biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of a magnesium alloy

The fast corrosion rate of magnesium alloys has restricted their use as biodegradable implants. Hence developing a practical approach to retard the corrosion rate of the AZ31 magnesium alloy, as well as promoting cell adhesion and proliferation is of great importance. Silane coatings were applied through dip coating, on samples pretreated in hydrofluoric acid. Samples were immersed in simulated body fluid at 37 °C, and the coating performance was assessed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The coating morphologies of samples were investigated through field emission scanning electron microscopy and a cell viability/proliferation (MTT) test was performed to evaluate cellular response. A 2.2 μm-thick coating was accomplished, which increased the corrosion resistance to three orders of magnitude higher than that of the bare sample. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were added to the silane coating to improve biocompatibility and facilitate bone formation. Changing the concentration of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles not only helped to optimize the barrier properties of the silane coating but also ameliorated MG-63 osteoblastic cell growth. The findings showed great promise to enhance and maintain the corrosion barrier property and induce high osteoblastic differentiation by employing 1000 mg L⁻¹ of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles.

Incorporation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in silane coatings improves both corrosion resistance and cell viability on magnesium AZ31 implants.

Corrosion Wear Performance of Pure Titanium Laser Texturing Surface by Nitrogen Ion Implantation

The poor tribological performances of titanium have significantly limited its applications in the field of artificial joints. In order to solve problems regarding the wear and corrosion of artificial joints in the body, we fabricated the composite materials utilizing the combination of laser surface texturing and nitrogen ion implantation technology, and investigated the effect of laser surface texturing, nitrogen ion implantation, and different dimple area densities on tribological performance. The results show that the textured surface could reduce the friction coefficient and improve the wear resistance, and the optimum dimple density was found to be 25%. After N ion implantation, the wear resistance of the textured sample was further improved, due to the formation of the nitride layer. Moreover, as shown by the electrochemical test results, the corrosion resistance was enhanced significantly. The friction coefficient decreased the most, and the wear resistance increased by 405% with the lowest wear rate of 0.37 × 10−3 mm3/N·m. However, the specimen with a dimple density of 60% had the worst wear resistance. The results of the study provide a basis for the development and application of artificial joint materials.

In vitro and in vivo studies on magnesium alloys to evaluate the feasibility of their use in obstetrics and gynecology

Magnesium and its alloys were widely investigated in many body fluid microenvironments including bone, blood, bile, saliva, and urine; however, no study has been conducted in the intrauterine microenvironment. In this study, the degradation behaviors of HP-Mg, Mg-1Ca, and Mg-2Zn alloys in simulated uterine fluid (SUF) were systematically investigated, and then the biological response of four kinds of uterine cells to these materials was observed. For this purpose, the gluteal muscle of rat was used as the implantation position to study the in vivo biocompatibility as a mimic of the intrauterine device (IUD) fixation part. The 120-day immersion test indicated that the Mg-1Ca alloy had a faster degradation rate than the Mg-2Zn alloy and HP-Mg and dissolved entirely in the SUF. Indirect cytotoxicity assay showed that the extracts of HP-Mg, Mg-1Ca, and Mg-2Zn alloys have positive effects on human uterine smooth muscle cells (HUSMC), human endometrial epithelial cells (HEEC), and human endometrial stromal cells (HESC), especially for the Mg-1Ca alloy group. Furthermore, the in vivo experiment showed that HP-Mg, Mg-1Ca, and Mg-2Zn alloy implants cause a light inflammatory response in the initial 3 days, but they were surrounded mainly by connective tissue, and lymphocytes were rarely observed at 4 weeks. Based on the above facts, we believed that it is feasible for using biomedical Mg alloys in obstetrics and gynecology and proposed three kinds of medical device candidates for future R&D. Statement of Significance Magnesium alloys were widely investigated in various body microenvironments including bone, blood, bile, saliva, and urine; however, no study has been conducted in the intrauterine environment. In this work, the degradation behaviors of Mg alloys in simulated uterine fluid were systematically investigated, and then the biological response of four kinds of uterine cells to these materials was observed. For this purpose, the tibialis anterior of a rat model was used as the implantation position to study the in vivo biocompatibility. The comprehensive in vitro and in vivo testing results indicated that biomedical Mg alloys are feasible for use in obstetrics and gynecology. Further, three kinds of medical device candidates were proposed.

"Effect of Zn content and aging temperature on the in-vitro properties of heat-treated and Ca/P ceramic-coated Mg-0.5%Ca-x%Zn alloys"

While potentially strong enough for load-bearing skeletal reconstruction applications, the corrosion (biodegradation) rate of biocompatible Mg-Zn-Ca-based alloys still presents. The present work reports on the use of heat treatment (strengthening and resorption delaying) and micro arc oxidation (MAO) coating (corrosion delaying) processes which were developed to induce desirable corrosion rates which are essential to maintaining the mechanical integrity of Mg-Zn-Ca-based alloys during the bone healing period. Three Mg-x%Zn-0.5%Ca (wt%) alloys with different levels of Zn content (1.2, 1.6 and 5 wt%) were prepared and heat-treated at different age hardening temperatures (100, 150, 200 and 250 °C). In order to further decrease the corrosion rate and improve the bioactivity, samples of the heat-treated Alloy I (Mg-1.2wt%Zn-0.5wt%Ca) at the optimized age-hardening conditions were successfully coated with a biocompatible composite coating without and with HA/β-TCP nanoparticles by using an MAO process. The microstructure, morphology and the composition of the heat-treated and coated materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Hardness and compression tests were conducted, while a corrosion investigation of heat-treated and coated samples was performed using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and a mechanical integrity immersion test. The results confirmed that Zn content and age hardening temperature have significant effects on the mechanical and corrosion properties of heat-treated Mg-Zn-Ca-based alloys. Alloy I, which has 1.2 wt% Zn content and was aged at 200 °C, showed the best combination of corrosion (slowest) and mechanical (highest) properties. The MAO (HA/β-TCP) composite coating significantly improved corrosion resistance compared to the uncoated heat-treated alloy, with only 11.3% reduction in the compressive strength after 8 weeks of immersion.

In vivo study of self-assembled alkylsilane coated degradable magnesium devices

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are candidate materials for resorbable implantable devices, such as orthopedic devices or cardiovascular stents. Mg has a number advantages, including mechanical properties, light weight, its osteogenic effects and the fact that its degradation products are nontoxic and naturally present in the body. However, production of H2 gas during the corrosion reaction can cause formation of gas pockets at the implantation site, posing a barrier to clinical applications of Mg. It is therefore desirable to develop methods to control corrosion rate and gas pocket formation around the implants. Here we evaluate the potential of self-assembled multilayer alkylsilane (AS) coatings to control Mg device corrosion and formation of gas pockets in vivo and to assess effects of the AS coatings on the surrounding tissues in a subcutaneous mouse model over a 6 weeks' period. The coating significantly slowed down corrosion and gas pocket formation as evidenced by smaller gas pockets around the AS coated implants (ANOVA; p = 0.013) and decrease in the weight loss values (t test; p = 0.07). Importantly, the microCT and profilometry analyses demonstrated that the coating inhibited the pitting corrosion. Specifically, the roughness of the coated samples was ∼30% lower than uncoated specimen (p = 0.02). Histological assessment of the tissues under the implant revealed no inflammation or foreign body reaction. Overall, our results demonstrate the feasibility of use of the seld assembled AS coatings for reduction of gas pocket formation around the resorbable Mg devices. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 342-351, 2019.

Magnesium Implants: Prospects and Challenges

Owing to their suitable mechanical property and biocompatibility as well as the technological possibility of controlling their high corrosion rates, magnesium and its alloys have attracted significant attention as temporary bio-implants. Though the ability of magnesium to harmlessly biodegrade and its inherent biocompatibility make magnesium alloys a suitable choice for a temporary implant, their high corrosion rates limit their practical application, as the implants can potentially corrode away even before the healing process has completed. Different approaches, such as alloying, surface modification, and conversion coatings, have been explored to improve the corrosion resistance of various magnesium alloys. However, the corrosion behavior of magnesium implants with and without a surface modification has been generally investigated under in-vitro conditions, and studies under in-vivo conditions are limited, which has contributed to the lack of translation of magnesium implants in practical applications. This paper comprehensively reviews the prospects of magnesium alloy implants and the current challenges due to their rapid degradation in a physiological environment. This paper also provides a comprehensive review of the corrosion mitigation measures for these temporary implants.

Novel Strontium Doped Zinc Calcium Phosphate Conversion Coating on AZ31 Magnesium Alloy for Biomedical Applications

A simple chemical conversion coating was adopted to deposit zinc calcium phosphate (ZCP) coating and strontium doped ZCP (SZCP) coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy to induce biocompatibility and reduce the degradation rate. The surface morphology, chemical composition and functional groups of the coating were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) studies and Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy respectively. SZCP coating formed at 20 min deposition time produced crack free surface with a high degree of crystallinity with barrier property, which ultimately retards the dissolution of magnesium in Simulated Body Fluid (SBF). The corrosion resistance of AZ31 magnesium alloy was improved by SZCP coating as evident from hydrogen evolution test (HET). Cytotoxicity evaluation with L969 cells showed that Sr doped ZCP coatings showed less toxicity on resorbable magnesium alloys.

A study of degradation resistance and cytocompatibility of super-hydrophobic coating on magnesium

Calcium stearate based super-hydrophobic coating was deposited on plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) pre-treated magnesium substrate. The pre-treated magnesium and super-hydrophobic coating covered sample were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical corrosion measurements. The cytocompatibility and degradation resistance of magnesium, pre-treated magnesium and super-hydrophobic coating were analysed in terms of cell adhesion and osteoblast differentiation. The results indicate that the calcium stearate top coating shows super-hydrophobicity and that the surface is composed of micro/nanostructure. The super-hydrophobic coating covered sample shows higher barrier properties compared with the PEO pre-treated magnesium and bare magnesium. Human osteoblast proliferation, but not differentiation is enhanced by the PEO coating. Contrary, the super-hydrophobic coating reduces proliferation, but enhances differentiation of osteoblast, observable by the formation of hydroxyapatite. The combination of corrosion protection and cell reaction indicates that this system could be interesting for biomedical applications.

Design of magnesium alloys with controllable degradation for biomedical implants: From bulk to surface

The combination of high strength, light weight, and natural biodegradability renders magnesium (Mg)-based alloys promising in orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents. Being metallic materials, Mg and Mg alloys made for scaffolds provide the necessary mechanical support for tissue healing and cell growth in the early stage, while natural degradation and reabsorption by surrounding tissues in the later stage make an unnecessarily follow-up removal surgery. However, uncontrolled degradation may collapse the scaffolds resulting in premature implant failure, and there has been much research in controlling the degradation rates of Mg alloys. This paper reviews recent progress in the design of novel Mg alloys, surface modification and corrosion mechanisms under different conditions, and describes the effects of the structure, composition, and surface conditions on the degradation behavior in vitro and in vivo.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

Owing to their unique mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, Mg based biomaterials are becoming the most promising substitutes for tissue regeneration for impaired bone, vascular and other tissues because these scaffolds can provide not only ideal space for the growth and differentiation of seeded cells but also enough strength before the formation of normal tissues. The most important is that these scaffolds can be fully degraded after tissue regeneration, which can satisfy the increasing demand for better biomedical devices and functional tissue engineering biomaterials in the world. However, the rapid degradation rate of these scaffolds restricts the wide application in clinic. This paper reviews recent progress on how to control the degrdation rate based on the relevant corrosion mechanisms through the design of porous structure, phase structure, grains, and amorphous structure as well as surface modification, which will be beneficial to the better understanding and functional design of Mg-based scaffolds for wide clinical applications in tissue reconstruction in near futures.

Bio-functionalization of biomedical metals

Bio-functionalization means to endow biomaterials with bio-functions so as to make the materials or devices more suitable for biomedical applications. Traditionally, because of the excellent mechanical properties, the biomedical metals have been widely used in clinic. However, the utilized functions are basically supporting or fixation especially for the implantable devices. Nowadays, some new functions, including bioactivity, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, and so on, are introduced to biomedical metals. To realize those bio-functions on the metallic biomedical materials, surface modification is the most commonly used method. Surface modification, including physical and chemical methods, is an effective way to alter the surface morphology and composition of biomaterials. It can endow the biomedical metals with new surface properties while still retain the good mechanical properties of the bulk material. Having analyzed the ways of realizing the bio-functionalization, this article briefly summarized the bio-functionalization concepts of six hot spots in this field. They are bioactivity, bony tissue inducing, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, anticoagulation, and drug loading functions.

Tailoring degradation of AZ31 alloy by surface pre-treatment and electrospun PCL fibrous coating

AZ31 magnesium alloy was coated with polycaprolactone (PCL) nano-fibrous layer using electrospinning technique so as to control degradation in physiological environment. Before coating, the alloy was treated with HNO3 to have good adhesion between the coating and substrate. To elucidate the role of pre-treatment and coating, samples only with PCL coating as well as HNO3 treatment only were prepared for comparison. Best coating adhesion of 4B grade by ASTM D3359-09 tape test was observed for pre-treated samples. The effect of coating on in vitro degradation and biomineralization was studied using supersaturated simulated body fluid (SBF 5×). The weight loss and corrosion results obtained by immersion test showed that the combination of HNO3 pre-treatment and PCL coating is very effective in controlling the degradation rate and improving bioactivity. Cytotoxicity studies using L6 cells showed that PCL coated sample has better cell adhesion and proliferation compared to uncoated samples. Nano-fibrous PCL coating combined with prior acid treatment seems to be a promising method to tailor degradation rate with enhanced bioactivity of Mg alloys.

Enhanced corrosion protection and biocompatibility of a PLGA–silane coating on AZ31 Mg alloy for orthopaedic applications

This paper reports a multi-step procedure to fabricate a novel corrosion resistant and biocompatible PLGA–silane coating on the magnesium (Mg) alloy AZ31.

The influence of silane and silane–PMMA coatings on the in vitro biodegradation behavior of AE42 magnesium alloy for cardiovascular stent applications

Silane–PMMA-coated AE42 magnesium alloy with improved corrosion resistance and hemocompatibility for cardiovascular stent applications.

Graphene based anticorrosive coatings for Cr(VI) replacement

Corrosion has been a perennial issue of concern for the steel industry. Chromate conversion coatings are well known pre-treatment coatings for steel but due to environmental concerns and legislations, their use has been restricted. The industrial community, pegged by these legislations, has been long demanding an economically viable and eco-friendly pre-treatment coating alternative, without having to compromise on the durability and corrosion performance of the overall coating system. The present study focuses on evaluation of graphene as an anticorrosive alternative to Cr(VI) based coatings. Graphene, produced by a high shear liquid exfoliation route, upon functionalisation, provides a conductive and nearly impermeable barrier coating. On electrochemical and coating performance evaluation of this coating system, a dramatic improvement in corrosion resistance is observed. The study confirms the environment friendly corrosion protection of steel using functionalised graphene coating.