Zinc oxide coating impact on corrosion of ZK60 magnesium alloys in simulated body fluid

Magnesium alloys offer an alternative for applications in biodegradable implant devices within human body, eliminating the need for subsequent surgeries to remove metallic parts. Nevertheless, the uniform degradation rate of magnesium (Mg) alloys must be enhanced by applying surface coatings, preferably incorporating bactericidal and biocompatible agents, to improve the implant properties. In this study, magnesium alloys ZK60 (Mg, Zn, and Zr) and ZK60-Mm (Mg, Zn, and Zr with 1.5 % mass of rare-earth elements - mischmetal), both having a specific mass close to the bone, were investigated. The surfaces were coated with ZnO using physical vapor deposition (PVD) in the HiPIMS (High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering) mode. The corrosion resistance and degradation of the alloys were studied using electrochemical and immersion tests in simulated body fluid. Surface analysis and microstructures were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The results showed that the ZnO coating favors osseointegration with hydroxyapatite formation after immersion in SBF. Moreover, electrochemical analysis indicates an enhancement in corrosion resistance. On average, the corrosion current density decreases by a factor of four for the ZK60 alloy and two for the ZK60-Mm alloy post-coating. The corrosion rate of ZnOcoated alloys is lower compared to that of uncoated alloys, showcasing the promising utility of this coating.