Biological and mechanical enhancement of zirconium dioxide for medical applications

Abstract

Extensive research in global biomedical industry has been driven rapidly due to problems faced in bone implants such as loosening of implants in knee and hip prosthesis as well as short service life of orthopaedic implants. Advances in biomedical engineering have resulted in formation of various materials utilized for orthopaedic transplants and artificial implants. Among the various available materials zirconium dioxide is observed as potential material for biomedical application due to its superior biocompatibility, good compression resistance (2000 MPa), good viability of cell culture, good opacity, and radiopacifying capacity showcasing it's diverse applications in bone and tissue regeneration, orthopaedic implants as well as bone resorption. Bone tissue regenerative modifications is accompanied with coating of zirconium dioxide on metal alloys or 316 L SS substrate, composite formation with silica carbide or organic acids (usnic acid), surface propargylation achieved using chemical treatment of propargyl bromide, electrochemical treatment of zirconium dioxide to evaluate corrosion resistance, etc. Zirconium dioxide is also recorded for exhibiting enhanced mechanical properties as well as biocompatibility in hip arthroplasty as well as bone implants; it also serves application in bone cement to provide adhesion between the biomedical implants. The review paper majorly focuses on effective utilization of zirconium dioxide with various additive materials and functionalization techniques used for enhancement of properties, enabling the application of material in orthopaedic implants as well as bone tissue applications. The mechanical and biological performance analysis of various orthopaedic implants containing zirconium dioxide has been elaborately discussed along with possible measures implemented to enlarge the life of biomedical implant.