Enhanced bioactivity and degradation behavior of zinc via micro-arc anodization for biomedical applications

• Published in: High temperature materials and processes Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. pp. 20 - 25
• Main Authors: Dong, Hongzhou, Xu, Weize, Virtanen, Sannakaisa, Wang, Yuxin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin De Gruyter 26.02.2025; Walter de Gruyter GmbH
• Subjects: Adhesive strength; Biocompatibility; Biological activity; biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Body fluids; corrosion; Corrosion resistance; Degradation; micro-arc oxidation; Orthopedics; Oxidation; surface modification; zinc; Zinc base alloys; Zinc coatings; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 2191-0324; 0334-6455; 2191-0324
• DOI: 10.1515/htmp-2024-0065

Zinc-based alloys have attracted increasing interest as absorbable implant metals due to their suitable degradation rate and biocompatibility. However, a high concentration of Zn due to the degradation process results in high cytotoxicity, and low osteogenesis remains a problem. In this work, a compact coating well integrated into the substrate was fabricated on the surface of zinc via micro-arc oxidation (MAO). The coating is mainly composed of ZnO. The addition of phosphate in the coating reinforced the adhesive strength between Zn and the coating. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate a superior corrosion resistance of MAO-P samples as compared to the substrate. Long-term immersion measurements in simulated body fluid indicate that the coating improved the bioactivity of the substrate, which is promising in view of orthopedic applications.