Atomic Layer Deposited ZrO2 Nanofilm onMg-Sr Alloy for Enhanced Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility

Publication date: Available online 10 June 2017
Source:Acta Biomaterialia
Author(s): Qiuyue Yang, Wei Yuan, Xiangmei Liu, Yufeng Zheng, Zhenduo Cui, Xianjin Yang, Haobo Pan, Shuilin Wu
The biodegradability and good mechanical property of magnesium alloys make them potential biomedical materials. However, their rapid corrosion rate in the human body's environment impairs these advantages and limits their clinical use. In this work, a compact zirconia (ZrO2) nanofilm was fabricated on the surface of a magnesium-strontium (Mg-Sr) alloy by the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method, which can regulate the thickness of the film precisely and thus also control the corrosion rate. Corrosion tests reveal that the ZrO2 film can effectively reduce the corrosion rate of Mg-Sr alloys that is closely related to the thickness of the film. The cell culture test shows that this kind of ZrO2 film can also enhance the activity and adhesion of osteoblasts on the surfaces of Mg-Sr alloys.Statement of SignificanceThe significance of the current work is to develop a zirconia nanofilm on biomedical MgSr alloy with controllable thickness precisely through atomic layer deposition technique. By adjusting the thickness of nanofilm, the corrosion rate of MgSr alloy can be modulated, thereafter, the degradation rate of Mg-based alloys can be controlled precisely according to actual clinical requirement. In addition, this zirconia nanofilm modified MgSr alloy showed excellent biocompatibility than the bare samples. Hence, this work provides a new surface strategy to control the degradation rate while improving the biocompatibility of substrates.

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