Effect of copper content on the corrosion behaviors and antibacterial properties of binary Mg–Cu alloys

Abstract

Biodegradable Mg–Cu alloys have attracted many researchers attention due to their characteristics of osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and long-lasting antibacterial effects. In this paper, the effect of copper content on the corrosion behaviors and antibacterial properties of binary Mg–Cu alloys was studied. Microstructure characterization, immersion test, electrochemical test and antibacterial test were carried out. The results show that with the increase of Cu content, the corrosion rate of Mg–Cu alloys was increased greatly due to the galvanic corrosion between Mg matrix and Mg2Cu intermetallic phase. The corrosion rate of Mg–0·3Cu alloy was almost 10 times as fast as Mg–0·1Cu alloy in 0·9 wt-% NaCl solution. Antibacterial test showed that Mg–Cu alloys could efficiently reduce the viability of Candida albicans with the addition of Cu above 0·1 wt-%. Mg–0·1Cu has good potential to be used as antibacterial implants due to its good corrosion resistance and antibacterial property.