Biodegradable behavior and antibacterial activities of a novel Zn-0.5%Li-(Ag) alloys

• Published in: Materials research express Vol. 8; no. 5; pp. 55405 - 55412
• Main Authors: Lu, Yujiao, Xu, Xuemei, Liu, Hui, Liu, Ying, Fang, Hongjie, Dai, Yilong, Yan, Yang, Yu, Kun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bristol IOP Publishing 01.05.2021
• Subjects: antibacterial properties; Antibiotics; Biodegradability; biodegradable behavior; Biodegradation; Bone marrow; Corrosion effects; Corrosion rate; Diffusion rate; Elongation; Grain refinement; Mechanical properties; Metal hydroxides; microstructure; Precipitates; Silver base alloys; Stem cells; Toxicity; Zinc base alloys; Zinc oxide; Zn-0.5%Li-(Ag) alloys
• ISSN: 2053-1591; 2053-1591
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ac00f3

Abstract In this work, a novel Zn-0.5%Li-(Ag) alloys were successfully prepared by molten casting technology, and the microstructure, mechanical properties and the biodegradation behavior of Zn-based alloys in a Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (fetal bovine serum) were assessed. Additionally, their antibacterial properties were investigated by assaying the cell viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and by disc diffusion antibiotic sensitivity testing. The alloys had a reduced corrosion rate due a grain refinement effect (through more readily passivation) provided by nano-LiZn 4 precipitates and Zn(OH) 2 /ZnO and ZnCO 3 spontaneous precipitation on the surface. The Zn-0.5%Li-0.2%Ag alloy has no cytotoxicity, and which achieved highest mechanical properties ( tensile strengths of 278.3MPa and percentage elongation ( ε ) of 96.2%) and excellent antibacterial properties.