Strontium-zinc-based phosphate coatings fabricated in situ on the zinc-pretreated magnesium alloy for degradation control and cytocompatibility enhancement

Abstract

Owing to the good mechanical support, degradability, and biocompatibility, magnesium (Mg) alloys have large potential in medical applications such as guided bone regeneration membranes. However, the rapid degradation of Mg alloys under physiological conditions hinders many clinical applications. Herein, strontium-zinc-based phosphate (SZP) coatings are fabricated in situ on the zinc (Zn)-electrodeposited WE43 Mg alloy for corrosion protection, degradation control, and cytocompatibility enhancement. The Zn coating acts as a protective cathode for the Mg alloy substrate and provides a stable environment to foster the growth of the SZP coating in comparison with direct deposition onto the Mg alloy surface. The virtues are verified by the smaller corrosion current density, corrosion of the Zn coating instead of the Mg alloy substrate after soaking in artificial saliva, as well as good adhesion provided by the Zn-incorporated transition layer of SrZn2(PO4)2 between the Zn coating and SZP coating. The dense and inert SZP coating mitigates degradation as shown by a decrease in the corrosion current density of 44 times to 0.21 uA cm−2 in the simulated oral environment with artificial saliva. Furthermore, the coating resistance and charge transfer resistance increase by more than one order of magnitude compared to the Zn-treated Mg alloy, and there is no obvious degradation after immersion for 7 days. The Zn coating shows adverse effects on the attachment, spreading, and proliferation of MC3T33-E1 pre-osteoblasts, but the SZP coating providing a higher level larger than 100% of the cell viability after incubation with its extract for 3 days is more compatible with cells because of the retarded dissolution and bio-friendly chemical compositions of SrHPO4 and SrZn2(PO4)2. The hybrid coating has excellent prospects in biomedical products such as biodegradable Mg-based guided bone regeneration membranes.