Bioactivity and <italic>in</italic> <italic>vitro</italic> degradation behavior of MgZnCa thin-film metallic glass

Abstract

<p indent="0mm">Magnetron sputtering was used to prepare MgZnCa thin-film metallic glass (MG), and a single roller melt-spinning method was used to prepare amorphous MgZnCa ribbon. Potential polarization curves of MgZnCa amorphous ribbon and bulk high-purity magnesium (HP Mg) in simulated body fluids were compared using electrochemical tests. The corrosion resistance of MgZnCa MG is found to be significantly better than that of HP Mg, which is mainly attributed to its higher corrosion potential and lower corrosion current density. Immersion experiments, hydrogen evolution experiments, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to analyze the structure and composition of MgZnCa thin-film MG (TFMG) before and after corrosion, showing that the release rate of hydrogen was the fastest in the first hour, with active magnesium and calcium on the film’s surface preferentially dissolved. Furthermore, the appearance of a zinc-rich phase in the corrosion film and the increase in local pH promotes the precipitation of phosphate, which can improve the corrosion resistance of MgZnCa MG. <italic>In</italic> <italic>vitro</italic> experiments show that the 25% concentration extract obtained after soaking the MgZnCa MG has higher cell viability and lower apoptosis rate than the control medium, indicating that the MgZnCa MG is biocompatible. Therefore, with excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, MgZnCa MG can be used as bioactive coatings on the surface of biologically inert materials.