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Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, as potential biodegradable materials, have drawn wide attention in the cardiovascular stent field because of their appropriate mechanical properties and biocompatibility. Nevertheless, the occurrence of thrombosis, inflammation, and restenosis of implanted Mg alloy stents caused by their poor corrosion resistance and insufficient endothelialization restrains their anticipated clinical applications. Numerous surface treatment tactics have mainly striven to modify the Mg alloy for inhibiting its degradation rate and enduing it with biological functionality. This review focuses on highlighting and summarizing the latest research progress in functionalized coatings on Mg alloys for cardiovascular stents over the last decade, regarding preparation strategies for metal oxide, metal hydroxide, inorganic nonmetallic, polymer, and their composite coatings; and the performance of these strategies in regulating degradation behavior and biofunction. Potential research direction is also concisely discussed to help guide biological functionalized strategies and inspire further innovations. It is hoped that this review can give assistance to the surface modification of cardiovascular Mg-based stents and promote future advancements in this emerging research field., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • This article overviews the development course and present situation of Mg-based stents. • The crucial issues of limiting the clinical application of Mg-based stents are proposed in this article. • This article summarizes the recent research progress in the surface modification tactic of Mg-based stents. • The future directions of modification strategies of Mg-based stents are discussed in this article.

The microstructure and chemical compositions of the solid solution-treated Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy were characterized using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion behaviour of the alloy was investigated via electrochemical polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), hydrogen evolution test and scanning Kelvin probe (SKP). The results showed that the microstructure of the as-extruded Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy contained α-Mg matrix and nanometric second phase Mg41Nd5. The grain size of the alloy increased significantly with the increase in the heat-treatment duration, whereas the volume fraction of the second phase decreased after the solid solution treatment. The surface film was composed of oxides (Nd2O3, MgO, Li2O and ZnO) and carbonates (MgCO3 and Li2CO3), in addition to Nd. The as-extruded alloy exhibited the best corrosion resistance after an initial soaking of 10 min, whereas the alloy with 4h-solution-treatment possessed the lowest corrosion rate after a longer immersion (1 h). This can be attributed to the formation of Nd-containing oxide film on the alloys and a dense corrosion product layer. The dealloying corrosion of the second phase was related to the anodic Mg41Nd5 with a more negative Volta potential relative to α-Mg phase. The preferential corrosion of Mg41Nd5 is proven by in-situ observation and SEM. The solid solution treatment of Mg-3Nd-1Li-0.2Zn alloy led to a shift in corrosion type from pitting corrosion to uniform corrosion under long-term exposure.

A hydrothermal deposition method was utilized to fabricate Ca-P composite coating induced by the layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled polyvinylpyrrolidone/deoxyribonucleic acid (PVP/DNA)20 multilayer on AZ31 alloy. The surface morphology and compositions were characterized by SEM, EDS, FTIR and XRD. Besides, the corrosion resistance and degradation behavior of the coating were tested via electrochemical polarization, impedance spectroscopy and immersion measurements. Results show that the main components of Ca-P coatings are hydroxyapatite, Ca3(PO4)2 and Mg3(PO4)2·nH2O. The LbL-assembled DNA and PVP promote the adsorption of Ca-P deposits on the sample surface, and structures and functional groups of the polyelectrolyte in the outermost layer are the primary influencing factor for the induction of the Ca-P coating. Carboxyl groups have the best biomineralization effect among all related functional groups. The enhanced corrosion resistance and adhesion highlight a promising use of (PVP/DNA)20-induced Ca-P coatings in the field of biomedical magnesium alloys.

Hydrophobic Mg(OH)2/calcium myristate (Ca[CH3(CH2)12COO]2, CaMS) and Mg(OH)2/magnesium myristate (Mg[CH3(CH2)12COO]2, MgMS) composite coatings were prepared on the alkali-treated AZ31 substrates via both electrodeposition and dipping methods. The morphologies, compositions, and constitutes of the coatings were investigated by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) together with X-ray diffractometer (XRD). Furthermore, electrochemical (polarization and impedance spectroscopy) and hydrogen evolution tests were applied to evaluate the corrosion resistance. The wettability and adhesive strength of the composite coatings were characterized through water static contact angle (CA), sliding angle (SA), and nano-scratch tests. Results indicated that the better super-hydrophobicity, corrosion resistance, and adhesion were achieved via an electrodeposited process. The corrosion current density (icorr) and hydrogen evolution rate (HER) of the electrodeposited coating were three and one orders of magnitude smaller than the substrate, implying a significantly improved corrosion resistance. This scenario was ascribed to the super-hydrophobicity of electrodeposited composite coating with a contact angle (CA) and slide angle (SA) of 159.2° ± 0.8° and 5.2° ± 0.8°, respectively. However, the dipped composite coating was adverse to the improvement of corrosion resistance and adhesion due to the dissolution of the underlying Mg(OH)2 layer and smooth surface with less organic fatty acid salt (MgMS)

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys are considered as ideal biodegradable materials due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. In order to improve the surface properties to allow better adaptation to the surrounding tissue of the body, surface modification has played a significant role in satisfying multiple clinical requirements such as corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and antibacterial ability. Here, layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly, which can be applied for biodegradable Mg alloys due to its extensive choice of usable units, holds great promise among all the surface techniques. In this review, the mechanisms of the driving force (i.e., electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, charge transfer interaction and covalent bonding), cutting-edge advances in preparation methods (e.g., dipping, spraying, and spinning) and the functional properties (corrosion resistance, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility) that could be achieved by the LbL coatings are summarized. A reasonable trend of the potential development of LbL for bio-Mg alloys is also proposed at the end of this article.

A chitosan/deoxyribonucleic acid (CHI/DNA)5 coating was constructed by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly dip coating method with Mg(OH)2 coating as an inner protective layer on AZ31 alloy. X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were utilized to represent the chemical compositions and surface morphologies of the coatings. Electrochemical tests and hydrogen evolution measurements were implemented to confirm the good corrosion resistance of the composite coating in artificial body fluid. Antimicrobial activity of the composite coatings was tested via the plate-counting method, and the cytotoxicity of the samples was appraised by MTT assay and Live/dead staining. A double action was put into effect for the composite coating, which the inner Mg(OH)2 coating plays the part of physical barrier, and the outer (CHI/DNA)5 coating is employed as an inducer to fabricate a biocompatible Ca-P corrosion product coating during immersion, making up for its thin thickness. Otherwise, the composite coating is also beneficial for the growth of bone, resulting from the biomineralization effect of the outer polyelectrolyte multilayer. The good antibacterial property of the (CHI/DNA)5/Mg(OH)2 coating is ascribed to the contact-killing strength of CHI. Thus, the obtained (CHI/DNA)5/Mg(OH)2 coating has a wide application prospect in the field of Mg-based bone implantation.

Biodegradable magnesium alloys are challenging to be implanted in patients with hyperglycemia and diabetes. A hypothesis is suggested that glucose accelerates microbial ingress and in vitro degradation of Mg-Li-Ca implants. Corrosion resistance and mechanical properties was demonstrated using electrochemical, hydrogen evolution and tensile tests. The bacteria from Hank's solution were isolated via 16S rRNA gene analysis. The results revealed that Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy exhibited different responses to Hank's solution with and without glucose. The solution acidity was ascribed to Microbacterium hominis and Enterobacter xiangfangensis, indicating that glucose promoted microbial activity and degradation and deterioration in mechanical property of Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy.

To enhance durability and adhesion of superhydrophobic surface, an integrated superhydrophobic calcium myristate (Ca[CH3(CH2)12COO]2) coating with excellent corrosion resistance was fabricated on AZ31 magnesium (Mg) alloy via one-step electrodeposition process. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as X-ray diffraction were employed to investigate the surface characteristics (morphology, composition and structure) of the coatings. Hydrophobicity of the coating was evaluated by means of contact and sliding angles. Additionally, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and hydrogen evolution tests were conducted to characterize the corrosion resistance. Results indicated that the coating exhibited super-hydrophobicity with large static water contact angle (CA) and small sliding angle of 155.2° ± 1.5° and 6.0° ± 0.5°, respectively, owing to spherical rough structure and low surface energy (7.01 mJ m−2). The average hydrogen evolution rate (HERa) and corrosion current density (icorr) of the coated sample were 5.3 μL cm−2 h−1 and 5.60 × 10−9 A cm−2, about one and four orders of magnitude lower than that of AZ31 substrate, respectively, implying the excellent corrosion resistance. The CA of the coating remained 155.6° ± 0.9° after soaking for 13 days, showing the super-hydrophobicity and stability of the coating. Simultaneously, the large critical load (5004 mN) for the coating designated the outstanding adhesion to the substrate by nano-scratch test.

An environmentally-friendly hybrid coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrates was reported. The synergic effect was studied on Mg−Al-layered double hydroxide Mg−Al LDH/Mg(OH)2-coated AZ31 magnesium alloy via an in-situ steam coating process and a subsequent combined surface modification of bis-[triethoxysilylpropyl]tetrasulfide (BTESPT) silane and Ce(NO3)3. The microstructure and composition characteristics of the hybrid coatings were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The corrosion resistance of the coated samples was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) and hydrogen evolution rate during immersion in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. The results show an improved corrosion resistance of the alloy in the presence of BTESPT silane and Ce(NO3)3. This is most likely due to the synergistic effect of steam coating and silane coating to enhance the barrier properties of hybrid coating. In addition, the formation mechanism and anti-corrosion mechanism of coatings were discussed.

A number of industrial and biomedical fields, such as hydraulic fracturing balls for gas and petroleum exploitation and implant materials, require Mg alloys with rapid dissolution. An iron-bearing phosphate chemical conversion (PCC) coating with self-catalytic degradation function was fabricated on the Mg alloy AZ31. Surface morphologies, chemical compositions and degradation behaviors of the PCC coating were investigated through FE-SEM, XPS, XRD, FTIR, electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Results indicated that the PCC coating was characterized by iron, its phosphates and hydroxides, amorphous Mg(OH)2 and Mg3-n(HnPO4)2. The self-catalytic degradation effects were predominately concerned with the Fe concentration, chemical composition and microstructure of the PCC coating, which were ascribed to the galvanic corrosion between Fe in the PCC coating and the Mg substrate. The coating with higher Fe content and porous microstructure exhibited a higher degradation rate than that of the AZ31 substrate, while the coating with a trace of Fe and compact surface disclosed a slightly enhanced corrosion resistance for the AZ31 substrate.

An l -cysteine-bioinspired calcium phosphate (Ca-P) coating is prepared upon magnesium alloy AZ31 in a water bath at 60 °C. FE–SEM, FTIR, XRD, electrochemical characterization, hydrogen evolution tests and XPS were used to evaluate the microstructure, chemistry and corrosion performance of the samples. Results indicate that l -cysteine promotes the nucleation process of the coating and significantly increases its thickness. This can be attributed to the complexation of the carboxyl group and mercapto group of l -cysteine with calcium ions. Indeed, the obtained Ca-P coating possesses higher corrosion resistance than that prepared in l -cysteine-free bath.

Basically, Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) coatings are prepared on the surface of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coated magnesium (Mg) alloys at a high temperature or a low pH value. This scenario leads to the growth rate of LDH coating inferior to the dissolution rate of the MAO coating. This in turn results in limited corrosion resistance of the composite coating. In this study, a Mg–Al LDH coating on MAO-coated Mg alloy AZ31 is prepared through a water bath with a higher pH (13.76) at a lower temperature (60 °C). FE-SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, and FT-IR are applied to analyze the surface morphology, chemical compositions, and growth process. Electrochemical polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and hydrogen evolution tests are employed to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the samples. The results disclose that the MAO coating is completely covered by the nanosheet-structured LDH coating with a thickness of approximately 3.8 μm. The corrosion current density of the MAO-LDH composite coating is decreased four orders of magnitude in comparison to its substrate; the presence of a wide passivation region in anodic polarization branch demonstrates its strong self-healing ability, indicating the hybrid coating possesses excellent corrosion resistance. The formation mechanism of the LDH coating on the MAO-coated Mg alloy is proposed. Furthermore, the cytocompatibility is assessed via an indirect extraction test for MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts, which indicates an acceptable cytocompatibility of osteoblasts for the composite coating., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • High pH and low temperature balance MAO dissolution rate and LDH growth rate. • EDTA-2Na accelerates the growth of LDH. • MAO-LDH coating shows a wider passivation zone and a seal-healing ability. • MAO-LDH coating has an acceptable biocompatibility for MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. • The growth mechanism of MAO-LDH coating is proposed.

The performance of biodegradable magnesium alloy requires special attention to rapid degradation and poor biocompatibility, which can cause the implant to fail. Here, a sodium montmorillonite (MMT)/bovine serum albumin (BSA) composite coating was prepared upon magnesium alloy AZ31 via hydrothermal synthesis, followed by dip coating. We evaluated the surface characterization and corrosion behavior in vitro, and the biocompatibility in vitro and in vivo. Biodegradation progress of the MMT-BSA coated Mg pieces was examined through hydrogen evolution, immersion tests, and electrochemical measurements in Hank’s solution. In vitro biocompatibility studies were evaluated via hemolysis tests, dynamic cruor time tests, platelet adhesion, MTT testing and live-dead stain of osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1). It was found that the MMT-BSA coating had good corrosion resistance and a marked improvement in biocompatibility in comparison to bare Mg alloy AZ31. in vivo studies were carried out in rat model and the degradation was characterized by computed tomography scans. Results revealed that the MMT-BSA coated Mg alloy AZ31 implants maintained their structural integrity and slight degradation after 120 d of post-implantation. A 100% survival rate for the rats was observed with no obvious toxic damages on the organs and tissues. Additionally, we proposed a sound coating formation mechanism. Considering the good corrosion protection and biocompatibility, the MMT-BSA coated Mg alloy AZ31 is a promising candidate material for biomedical implants.

The biocorrosion of magnesium in the external physiological environment is still difficult to accurately evaluate the degradation behavior in vivo, particularly, in the microenvironment of the patients with hyperglycemia or diabetes. Thus, we explored the synergistic effects of glucose and protein on the biodegradation of pure magnesium, so as to have a deeper understanding the mechanism of the degradation in vivo. The surface morphology and corrosion product composition of pure magnesium were investigated using SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD and XPS. The effect of glucose and albumin on the degradation rate of pure magnesium was investigated via electrochemical and immersion tests. The adsorption of glucose and albumin on the sample surface was observed using fluorescence microscopy. The results showed that the presence of 2 g/L glucose changed the micromorphology of corrosion products on the magnesium surface by reacting with metal cations, thus inhibiting the corrosion of pure magnesium. Protein formed a barrier layer to protect the magnesium at early stage of immersion. The chelation reaction between protein and magnesium surface might accelerate the degradation at later stage. There may be a critical glucose (albumin) content. Biodegradation of pure magnesium was inhibited at low concentrations and promoted at high concentrations. The synergistic effect of glucose and protein restrained the adsorption of aggressive chloride ions to a certain extent, and thus inhibited the degradation of pure magnesium considerably. Moreover, XPS results indicated that glucose promoted the adsorption of protein on the sample surface., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • The absorbed BSA layer delays the corrosion of pure Mg in the initial stage. • BSA promotes the degradation of Mg owing to the chelation effect subsequently. • The glucose curbs the degradation by impeding the attack of Cl− ions. • Glucose promotes the adsorption of protein due to the formation of glycosamine. • The synergistic effects of glucose and BSA reduces the degradation rate of pure Mg.

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg)-based alloys have aroused great concern owing to their promising characteristics as temporary implants for orthopedic application. But their undesirably rapid corrosion rate under physiological conditions has limited the actual clinical application. This study reports the use of a novel biomimetic polyelectrolyte multilayer template, based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and polyacrylic acid (PAA) via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, to improve the corrosion resistance of the alloy. Surface characterization techniques (field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometer and X-ray diffractometer) confirmed the formation of biomineralized Ca–P coating on AZ31 alloy. Both hydrogen evolution and electrochemical corrosion tests demonstrated that the corrosion protection of the polyelectrolyte-induced Ca–P coating on AZ31 alloy. The formation mechanism of biomineralized Ca–P coating was proposed., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • A novel LbL assembled template induces a compact and thick Ca–P coating. • (PVP/PAA)5.5 template improves the binding force of the Ca–P coating. • The templates-induced Ca–P coating exhibits a good corrosion protection for Mg alloy. • Free PAA and PVP may go against the nucleation and growth of the Ca–P crystals. • (PVP/PAA)5.5 template is beneficial to the formation of the crystalline Ca–P coating.

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have been widely used in a variety of industrial fields, however, the high corrosion rate and surface contamination restrict their applications. In this study, a corrosion-resistant polymer coating with self-cleaning properties on Mg alloy AZ31 was successfully fabricated via a pretreatment of amino-silane (poly(3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane, PAPTMS) and subsequently covered with a polypropylene (PP) film. Surface morphology and chemical compositions were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as well. Contact angle was measured to determine hydrophobicity of the composite coatings. Water permeability of the coatings was evaluated through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Corrosion resistance of the coating was investigated using electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Results indicated that PAPTMS/PP coatings possessed a micrometer-scaled porous spherical microstructure, and super-hydrophobicity with high water contact angle (162 ± 3.4°) and low sliding angle (5 ± 0.6°) due to the low surface energy (10.38 mJ/m2). Moreover, the coating exhibited a smaller water diffusion coefficient (8.12 × 10−10 cm2/s) and water uptake volume fraction (24.5 %), demonstrating low water permeability and good physical barrier performance. As a result, the corrosion current density of PAPTMS/PP coating exhibited approximately three orders of magnitude lower than that of the AZ31 substrate, suggesting excellent corrosion resistance. Finally, corrosion-resistant mechanism of the hybrid coating was proposed.

The present work aimed at assessing the electrochemical behavior and the corrosion inhibition performance of Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) coatings modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and cerium nitrate on AA5005 aluminum alloy. The chemical compositions and surface morphologies of the coatings were investigated by XRD, FT-IR and FE-SEM, while their corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical and immersion tests. An optimum corrosion resistance of the composite coatings was obtained by adding 10−2 mol·L−1 cerium nitrate. An excess addition of cerium nitrate resulted in a loose structure and poor corrosion resistance of the coating. The corrosion mechanism of the composite coatings was proposed and discussed.

The high surface roughness of dip polydopamine (dPDA) coating on magnesium alloy could decrease the quality of secondary modification. In the present study, we report an electropolymerized dopamine (ePDA) coating on Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy from sodium salicylate aqueous solutions by galvanostat method to address this problem. The coating formation process and coating structure were investigated. Then, a Poly ( l -lactic acid) (PLLA) coating was prepared on ePDA and dPDA treated samples. The SEM results reveal that the ePDA film appeared to be more uniform than dPDA coating and was doped with salicylate and magnesium ions. ASTM D3359 -09 “Tape test” shows excellent adhesion of the ePDA/PLLA layer. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization curves demonstrate ePDA/PLLA film has a better corrosion resistance than dPDA/PLLA film, owing to the structural difference of polydopamine anchoring layer.

A Zinc-loaded montmorillonite (Zn-MMT) coating was hydrothermally prepared using Zn2+ ion intercalated sodium montmorillonite (Na-MMT) upon magnesium (Mg) alloy AZ31 as bone repairing materials. Biodegradation rate of the Mg-based materials was studied via potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and hydrogen evolution tests. Results revealed that both Na-MMT and Zn-MMT coatings exhibited better corrosion resistance in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) + 10% calf serum (CS) than bare Mg alloy AZ31 counterparts. Hemolysis results demonstrated that hemocompatibility of the Na-MMT and Zn-MMT coatings were 5%, and lower than that of uncoated Mg alloy AZ31 pieces. In vitro MTT tests and live-dead stain of osteoblast cells (MC3T3-E1) indicated a significant improvement in cytocompatibility of both Na-MMT and Zn-MMT coatings. Antibacterial properties of two representative bacterial strains associated with device-related infection, i.e. Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), were employed to explore the antibacterial behavior of the coatings. The measured inhibitory zone and bacterial growth rate confirmed that Zn-MMT coatings exhibited higher suppression toward both E. coli and S. aureus than that of Na-MMT coatings. The investigation on antibacterial mechanism through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay manifested that Zn-MMT coating led to severe breakage of bacterial membrane of E. coli and S. aureus, which resulted in a release of cytoplasmic materials from the bacterial cells. In addition, the good inhibition of Zn-MMT coatings against E. coli and S. aureus might be attributed to the slow but sustainable release of Zn2+ ions (up to 144 h) from the coatings into the culture media. This study provides a novel coating strategy for manufacturing biodegradable Mg alloys with good corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and antibacterial activity for future orthopedic applications. Statement of Significance The significance of the current work is to develop a corrosion-resistant and antibacterial Zn-MMT coating on magnesium alloy AZ31 through a hydrothermal method. The Zn-MMT coating on magnesium alloy AZ31 shows better corrosion resistance, biocompatibility and excellent antibacterial ability than magnesium alloy AZ31. This study provides a novel coating on Mg alloys for future orthopedic applications.

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have received increasing interest as innovative orthopedic implants, while the extremely rapid degradation rate and the susceptibility to the infection have limited their medical applications. In this study, a novel hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating induced by ciprofloxacin (CIP)-loaded polymeric multilayers was prepared on Mg alloy via the combination of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly and hydrothermal treatment. The coated substrates were subjected to various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical and immersion tests. The antibacterial activity was investigated via plate-counting method against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Besides, the cytocompatibility was assessed via an indirect extraction test for MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. The results revealed that the as-prepared HAp coating with a compact topography showed favorable corrosion resistance, antibacterial activity and cell compatibility together with a prolonged release profile of CIP.

As a result of their good biocompatibility, bioactivity, and mechanical properties, magnesium (Mg) alloys have received considerable attention as next generation biodegradable implants. Herein, in order to achieve a proper degradation rate and good antibacterial ability, we reported a novel hydroxyapatite coating induced by gentamicin (GS)-loaded polymeric multilayers for the surface treatment of the Mg alloy. The coating was characterized by X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The as-prepared hydroxyapatite coating showed the compact morphology and a well-crystallized apatite structure. This coating could improve the adhesion strength and reduce the corrosion rate of the substrate in simulated body fluid solution. Meanwhile, the drug release and antibacterial experiments demonstrated that the GS loaded specimen revealed a significant antimicrobial performance toward Staphylococcus aureus and had a prolonged release profile of GS, which would be helpful to the long-term bactericidal activity of the Mg implant. This coating showed acceptable biocompatibility via MTT assay and Live/dead staining. Thus, the multilayers-hydroxyapatite coated Mg alloy could improve the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility while delivering vital drugs to the site of implantation.

One of the major obstacles for the clinical use of biodegradable magnesium (Mg)-based materials is their high corrosion rate. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coatings on Mg alloys provide mild corrosion protection owing to their porous structure. Hence, in this study a dense Mg(OH)2 film was fabricated on MAO-coated Mg alloy AZ31 in an alkaline electrolyte containing ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA-2Na) to reinforce the protection. Surface morphology, chemical composition and growth process of the MAO/Mg(OH)2 hybrid coating were examined using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. Corrosion resistance of the coatings was evaluated via potentiodynamic polarization curves and hydrogen evolution tests. Results manifested that the Mg(OH)2 coating possesses a porous nano-sized structure and completely seals the micro-pores and micro-cracks of the MAO coating. The intermetallic compound of AlMn phase in the substrate plays a key role in the growth of Mg(OH)2 film. The current density of Mg(OH)2-MAO composite coating decreases three orders of magnitude in comparison with that of bare substrate, indicating excellent corrosion resistance. The Mg(OH)2-MAO composite coating is beneficial to the formation of calcium phosphate corrosion products on the surface of Mg alloy AZ31, demonstrating a great promise for orthopaedic applications.

Strontium phosphate (SrPO4) conversion coatings with the ability to impart significant corrosion resistance were prepared upon magnesium alloy Mg-3Al-4.3Ca-0.1 Mn (wt.%). Scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy were also employed to characterise surface and interfacial morphology, along with the composition of the coatings. The protective performance of SrPO4 coatings was examined by potentiodynamic polarisation curves and immersion testing. A coating-growth mechanism was proposed and correlations between processing parameters and coating quality was established. The findings herein provide new insights for design of environmentally-benign and corrosion resistant coatings upon magnesium alloys through a simple chemical conversion technique.

Mg(OH)2/Mg–Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) coatings were modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) on magnesium alloys. Effect of hydrolysis degree of silane solution on coating formation was investigated. Chemical compositions and surface morphologies of the coatings were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field-emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM). Results indicated that the composite coatings consisted of polymethyltrimethoxysilane (PMTMS), LDH and Mg(OH)2. Electrochemical and hydrogen evolution measurements revealed that the composite coatings possessed good corrosion resistance, especially the ones prepared in a high hydrolysis degree of silane. The optimum corrosion resistance of the composite coating was LDH/PMTMS-3 coating, which had the lowest value of corrosion current density (5.537 × 10−9 A·cm−2) and a dense surface. Plausible mechanism for coating formation and corrosion process of MTMS-modified Mg(OH)2/Mg–Al-LDH coatings were discussed.

A SnO2-doped calcium phosphate (Ca-P-Sn) coating was constructed on Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy by a hydrothermal process. The fabricated functional coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). A triple-layered structure, which is composed of Ca3(PO4)2, (Ca, Mg)3(PO4)2, SnO2, and MgHPO4·3H2O, is evident and leads to the formation of Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 in Hank’s solution. Electrochemical measurements, hydrogen evolution tests and plating counts reveal that the corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity were improved through the coating treatment. The embedded SnO2 nanoparticles enhanced crystallisation of the coating. The formation and degradation mechanisms of the coating were discussed.

Bioinspired coatings with decreased corrosion rate and enhanced bond strength are at the core of future clinic applications on degradable magnesium (Mg)-based implants. The hybrid of organic and inorganic compounds offers a strategy to fabricate biodegradable, biocompatible and compact coatings on biomedical Mg alloys. Hereby, a comparison with and without DNA addition was made on the corrosion resistance and adhesion strength of Ca–P coatings fabricated on AZ31 alloy via hydrothermal deposition. The morphology, chemical composition, and crystallographic structure of the coatings were investigated by means of SEM, EDS and FTIR as well as XRD before and after corrosion tests. Corrosion resistance was evaluated via potentiodynamic polarization curves, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and hydrogen evolution tests in Hank's solution. Results show that the coatings are mainly characterized by tricalcium phosphate (TCP), dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) and calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA). The presence of DNA leads to the formation of Ca–P coating with improved corrosion resistance and adhesion strength. Additionally, the formation mechanism for DNA-induced Ca–P coating is proposed. The DNA-induced Ca–P coating exhibits a promising future for controlling the corrosion rate of biodegradable Mg alloys. Keywords: DNA, Corrosion resistance, Biodegradability, Magnesium alloys, Coatings

In this work, the corrosion fatigue behaviors of an as-forged Mg-6.7%Zn-1.3%Y-0.6%Zr alloy before and after solid solution treatment (T4) in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution have been investigated and compared. S-N curves showed that the fatigue strength of as-forged samples corresponding to 5 × 106 cycles was 30 MPa, whereas the fatigue strength of T4 samples was 50 MPa. Fracture observations showed that for the as-forged samples, fatigue cracks mainly initiated at localized corrosion sites on sample surfaces. However, for the T4 samples, the crack initiation was respectively related to the localized corrosion and TB cracking at low and high stress amplitudes.

A hexagonal nanosheet Mg(OH)2 coating was prepared through a one-step hydrothermal method using LiOH solution as mineralizer and then modified by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) to minimize the rapid corrosion of AZ31 Mg alloy. The performance of the coating was evaluated using electrochemical technique, hydrogen evolution measurements, nanoscratch test, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The results suggested that the corrosion rate of bare AZ31 Mg alloys was significantly reduced by one and two orders of magnitude through the protection from Mg(OH)2 coating and modification with EDTA (i.e., EDTA-Mg(OH)2 coating), respectively. FESEM micrographs indicated that the modification in EDTA elicits to the formation of an EDTA-Mg(OH)2 composite with a thickness as twice as that of as-prepared Mg(OH)2 coating. Nanoscratch tests revealed strong adhesion between the composite or Mg(OH)2 coating and the substrate. The study of formation and corrosion mechanisms of the coatings manifested that Mg(OH)2 was first formed near the intermetallic compound AlMn particles and gradually covered the entire surface, wherein the AlMn particles played an important role in the coating growth process. And it also proved that EDTA accelerated the formation of Mg(OH)2.

A multilayer coating with dense and smooth microstructure was successfully constructed on Mg alloys via a novel spin-spray layer-by-layer (SSLbL) assembly technique. As the useful building units, SiO2 nanoparticles could be used as a physical barrier to corrosive medium, and CeO2 nanoparticles were chosen to act as a corrosion inhibitor to heal the physical damage. Thus, the obtained coating possessed good corrosion resistance and self-healing performance, which would prolong the service life of Mg alloy implants.

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have attracted considerable research attention as potential biocompatible implant materials. However, the major barriers to the extended use of such medical devices are the possibility of high corrosion rate and implant-associated infections. To solve them, a novel polyacrylic acid (PAA)/gentamicin sulfate (GS)-hydroxyapatite (HAp) coating was synthesized by a one-step hydrothermal deposition method. Characteristics of functional coatings were investigated by SEM, FTIR and XRD. Corrosion properties of samples were evaluated by electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Antibacterial activities of the coatings against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were measured by the plate-counting method. Results showed that the as-prepared HAp coating with dense and flawless morphologies could not only enhance the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys, but also improve the adhesion strength between the HAp coating and the substrate. In addition, the induction of the apatite coating during immersion confirmed the excellent mineralization ability of the HAp coating. Moreover, the obtained HAp coating possessed antibacterial properties and could prolong the release of GS. Thus, the PAA/GS-HAp coated Mg alloy could serve as a better candidate for biomedical applications with good anti-corrosion and antibacterial properties.

Glucose-induced composite coatings containing crystalline calcium phosphate and Mg(OH)2 interlayer were prepared on pure Mg substrate through hydrothermal deposition from alkaline solution. Surface composition, morphology and corrosion resistance of the coatings were characterized through XRD, FTIR, SEM, XPS, electrochemical and hydrogen evolution measurements. Results reveal that calcium phosphate coatings were composed of dicalcium phosphate anhydrous, calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite and hydroxyapatite. Corrosion resistance of pure Mg specimens was improved by the formation of such a calcium phosphate coating. The findings provide a novel strategy to design calcium phosphate conversion coatings with satisfactory corrosion resistance for biodegradable Mg implants.

Polymeric coatings with long life, strong environmental adaptability and high durability are of great significance for practical applications. This work presents a facial strategy to construct a smart nanocomposite coating with excellent shielding, corrosion self-diagnosing and self-repairing functions by integrating nanocontainers into epoxy resin. The nanocontainers were synthesized through decorating the hydroxyapatite sheets with zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (HA-ZIF), which were employed to encapsulate corrosion probe phenanthroline (Phen). The service condition of the composite coating can be diagnosed. With the occurrence of localized corrosion, Phen molecules timely released and reacted with the metal ions to form conspicuous red color at damaged sites, achieving real time corrosion diagnosing function. Given the stimulus responsive property of ZIF, the corrosion propagating process can be significantly inhibited by the released benzimidazole inhibitors. As contrast of the traditional nanocontainers applied for anticorrosion coating, the inhibitors were used directly to synthesis the HA-ZIF nanocontainer rather than subsequent loading, which greatly improved inhibitors content in nanocontainers. Moreover, the impermeability, the core characteristic, of composite coating has been remarkably enhanced by the presence of HA sheets, ensuring its long-term protective performance. Importantly, the integrating multi functions in one coating is realized by the ingeniously designed nanocontainers. It is envisioned that this facial and feasible strategy provides insights in improving the longevity, functionality and reliability of protective coatings.

Mg alloys coated with layer-by-layer assembled multilayers always suffered from rapid degradation. In this research, the cross-linked multilayers consisted of CeO2 nanoparticles on Mg alloys were successfully prepared and glutaraldehyde was selected as the cross-linker. The improved corrosion protection of the resulting coatings assessed by tafel plots, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and immersion test was attributed to the cross-linkages together with the corrosion inhibition effects of the CeO2 nanoparticles.

A (polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA))n coating was fabricated via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly dip coating method. The surface morphologies, chemical compositions and corrosion resistances of the coatings were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffractometer and electrochemical and hydrogen evolution measurements. The results indicated that the (PVP/DNA)n coating shows a smooth surface with shallow scratches and some corrosion cracks, which possesses a good corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid, especially for n = 20. The (PVP/DNA)n coating can be used as a inducer to construct a biomimetic biocompatible Ca-P coating on Mg alloys. Additionally, we suggest and discuss a corrosion mechanism for the coating.

A Mg-Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) coating modified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and cerium nitrate was prepared on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrate via a hydrothermal process and subsequent the immersion treatment. The surface morphologies and chemical compositions were investigated using FE-SEM, XRD, FT-IR and XPS. These results indicated that the composite coatings were consisted of polymethyltrimethoxysilane (PMTMS) and CeO2. The adherence between the PMTMS/CeO2 coating and the LDH coating was significantly improved with the formation of Si-O-Si and Si-O-Mg chemical bonds. Electrochemical tests and hydrogen evolution illustrated that the optimum corrosion resistance of the composite coating was obtained in presence of 10−3 mol/L cerium nitrate. In addition, experimental data proved that addition of an excess of cerium nitrate was bad for coating formation. Finally, the coating corrosion mechanism was proposed and discussed.

The presence of second phase Mg2Ca has remarkable impacts on the formation and degradation of MAO coating. Microstructure, formation and degradation behaviors of substrate and MAO coating were performed. Results revealed that pitting and filiform corrosion occurred on bare Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy. MAO coating significantly improved the corrosion resistance of alloy. The roles of Mg2Ca on the formation and degradation mechanisms of MAO coating were discussed. Micro-arc oxidation for the Mg-Li-Ca alloy initiated at α-Mg phase with depleted Ca content. The growth rate of coating on α-Mg phase is faster than that of GBs/Mg2Ca. The MAO coating began to degrade from intermetallic compound Mg2Ca, then it underwent the attack from the solution and stress concentration caused by corrosion products.

Exfoliation on as-extruded Mg-1Li-1Ca magnesium alloy was investigated after an immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution for 90, 120 and 150 days through optical microscope, digital camera, scanning electron microscope, electrochemical workstation, scanning Kalvin probe, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. The results demonstrated that exfoliation corrosion occurred on extruded Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy due to elongated microstructure parallel to surface, and delamination of lamellar structure resulted from galvanic effect and wedge effect. Skin layer with fine grains exhibited better corrosion resistance, whereas the interior with coarse grains and the intermetallic compound, Mg2Ca particles existing in a fibrous structure, dispersed along grain boundaries and extrusion direction in a line. Furthermore, galvanic effect between Mg2Ca particles and their neighboring α-Mg matrix facilitated dissolution of Mg2Ca particles and α-Mg matrix; wedge effect was caused by formation of corrosion products. Exfoliation corrosion of extruded Mg-Li-Ca alloys might be a synergic effect of pitting corrosion, filiform corrosion, intergranular corrosion and stress corrosion. Finally, exfoliation corrosion mechanism was proposed.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) as a class of anionic clays have extensive applications due to their unique structures. Nowadays, the emphasis is laid on the development of LDH coatings for corrosion resistance and medical applications. Thus, this review highlights synthetic methods of LDH coatings and LDH-based composite coatings on magnesium alloys. Special attention is focused on self-healing, biocompatible and self-cleaning LDH-based composite coatings on magnesium alloys.

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have shown great potential in biomedical materials due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, rapid corrosion rate, which is an inevitable obstacle, hinders their clinical applications. Besides, it is necessary to endow Mg alloys with antibacterial properties, which are crucial for temporary implants. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and polymethyltrimethoxysilane (PMTMS) were introduced into AZ31 Mg alloys via layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly and siloxane self-condensation reaction. The characteristics of the composite films were investigated by SEM, UV–vis, FT-IR, and XRD measurements. Corrosion resistance of the samples was measured by electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. Antibacterial activities of the films against Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated by plate-counting method. The results demonstrated that the composite film with smooth and uniform morphologies could enhance the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys owing to the physical barrier and the self-healing functionality of polysiloxane. Moreover, the composite coating possessed antibacterial properties and could prolong the release of assembled silver ions.

A hydrophobic surface coating on AZ31 magnesium alloy was fabricated by combining hydrothermal treatment and subsequent chemical modification with 1-dodecanethiol (DT). The structure and morphology of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The roughness of samples was examined by atomic force microscope (AFM). The corrosion resistance of the hydrophobic coatings was investigated by potentiodynamic polarization test and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that the hydrophobic coatings effectively improved the corrosion resistance of the AZ31 alloy. The hydrophobic surface obtained in presence of 10 mmol L−1 DT showed a maximum static water contact angle of 105.5° and optimum corrosion resistance. There exists a “threshold” DT concentration for achieving hydrophobic coating on AZ31. Addition of an excess of DT decreased the water contact angle and corrosion resistance of coating. In the discussion part of this paper, a comparison was made with previous works. Finally, a corrosion mechanism of the coating was proposed and discussed.

Magnesium alloys show promise for application in orthopedic implants, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. In the present study, ternary Mg-(3.5, 6.5 wt%) Li-(0.2, 0.5, 1.0 wt%) Ca alloys were developed. Their mechanical strength, corrosion behavior and cytocompatibility were studied. These alloys showed improved mechanical strength than pure Mg and exhibited suitable corrosion resistance. Furthermore, Mg-3.5Li-0.5Ca alloys with the best in vitro performance were implanted intramedullary into the femurs of mice for 2 and 8 weeks. In vivo results revealed a significant increase in cortical bone thickness around the Mg-3.5Li-0.5Ca alloy rods, without causing any adverse effects. Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining of β-catenin illustrated that Mg-3.5Li-0.5Ca alloy extracts induced osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMMSCs) through the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Our studies demonstrate that Mg-3.5Li-0.5Ca alloys hold much promise as candidates for the facilitation of bone implant application.

Regulating degradation rate and moderate pH micro-environment for biodegradable magnesium alloys face huge challenge. The chemical and morphological characteristics of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and chitosan (CS) composite coatings, fabricated on Mg-4Li-1Ca alloy, are analyzed through field-emission scanning electronic microcopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Corrosion resistance of the samples is evaluated via hydrogen evolution, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in Hank's solution. Results indicated that the MAO and CS coating enhances the corrosion resistance and antibacterial growth activity. With increasing immersion time, the degradation of the MAO/CS coatings gives rise to a decrease in pH value and leads to a rapid increase in hydrogen evolution rate after an immersion in Hank's solution after 100 h. The MAO/CS coatings retain the solution pH at a moderate level (less than or equal to 8.25). A novel self-degradation mechanism of the MAO/CS coating on Mg-Li-Ca alloy is proposed due to the fact that MAO/CS coating is cathodic relative to the substrate.

Biodegradable Mg alloys have generated great interest for biomedical applications. Accurate predictions of in vivo degradation of Mg alloys through cost-effective in vivo evaluations require the latter to be conducted in an environment close to that of physiological scenarios. However, the roles of glucose and buffering agents in regulating the in vivo degradation performance of Mg alloys has not been elucidated. Herein, degradation behavior of AZ31 alloy is investigated by hydrogen evolution measurements, pH monitoring and electrochemical tests. Results indicate that glucose plays a content-dependent role in degradation of AZ31 alloy in buffer-free saline solution. The presence of a low concentration of glucose, i.e. 1.0 g/L, decreases the corrosion rate of Mg alloy AZ31, whereas the presence of 2.0 and 3.0 g/L glucose accelerates the corrosion rate during long term immersion in saline solution. In terms of Tris-buffered saline solution, the addition of glucose increases pH value and promotes pitting corrosion or general corrosion of AZ31 alloy. This study provides a novel perspective to understand the bio-corrosion of Mg alloys in buffering agents and glucose containing solutions.

The magnesium aluminum and zinc aluminum layered double hydroxides intercalated with NO 3 - (MgAl-NO3-LDH and ZnAl-NO3-LDH) were prepared by the coprecipitation method, and the magnesium aluminum and the zinc aluminum layered double hydroxides intercalated with VO - (MgAl-VO x -LDH and ZnAl-VO x -LDH) were prepared by the anion-exchange method. Morphologies, microstructures and chemical compositions of LDHs were investigated by SEM, EDS, XRD, FTIR, Raman and TG analyses. The immersion tests were carried to determine the corrosion inhibition properties of MgAl-VO x -LDH and ZnAl-VO x -LDH on AZ31 Mg alloys. The results showed that ZnAl-VO x -LDH possesses the best anion-exchange and inhibition abilities. The influence of treatment parameters on microstructures of LDHs were discussed. Additionally, an inhibition mechanism for ZnAl-VO x -LDH on the AZ31 magnesium alloy was proposed and discussed.

A polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)/polyacrylic acid (PAA) layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled composite coating with a multilayer structure for the corrosion protection of AZ31 magnesium alloy was prepared by a novel spin-casting method. The microstructure and composition of this coating were investigated by means of SEM, XRD and FT-IR measurements. Moreover, electrochemical, immersion and scratch tests in vitro were performed to measure the corrosion performance and the adhesion strength. These results indicated that the (PVP/PAA)10 composite coating with defect-free, dense and uniform morphologies could be successfully deposited on the surface of magnesium alloy. The coating had excellent corrosion resistance and adhesion strength.

A superhydrophobic surface was successfully fabricated on micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating on Mg-1Li-1Ca magnesium alloy via surface modification with stearic acid (SA). The microstructure, composition and superhydrophobic characteristics of the MAO/SA composite coatings were investigated by means of SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, and contact angle (CA). The corrosion resistance of the coatings was assessed by potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS), and immersion test in 3.5 wt % NaCl solution. The results demonstrated that the morphology of the porous MAO surface was transformed to a novel petal-like clusters after modified with SA. The magnesium stearate and SA were deposited in/on the micro-pores and the surface of the MAO coating. The CA of the SA-modified surface reached 155.5°. The corrosion current density of the MAO/SA-7h coating decreased about three orders of the magnitude compared to the substrate. The SA-modified surface can provide a long-term corrosion protection for the Mg-1Li-1Ca alloy. Additionally, the coating formation mechanism as well as the corrosion mechanism were proposed and discussed.

In this paper, for the first time, the corrosion behavior of 90/10 copper-nickel alloys was investigated systematically by simulating the different sea depths using static weight loss test, XPS depth analysis (argon ion etching), and electrochemical method. The static weight loss test showed that the average corrosion rate increased first, and then decreased with the increase of sea depth. XPS spectra demonstrated that the composition of the corrosion product layer did not change with variation of sea depth. The outer corrosion product was mainly CuO, Cu2O, Cu2Cl, NiO, and γ-FeOOH, while the inner corrosion product was mainly Cu2(OH)3Cl, Cu2O, NiO, Ni(OH)2, and γ-FeOOH. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy exhibited that the inner corrosion layer played an important role in protecting the alloy.

A crosslinked ciprofloxacin (CIP) and polymethyltrimethoxysilane (PMTMS) with an inner micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coating was designed to improve the corrosion resistance and antibacterial property of magnesium alloy AZ31. Surface morphology and roughness of the obtained coating were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and three-dimensional surface profilometry. Structural components and chemical compositions of the composite coatings were detected via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). Corrosion resistance of the coatings was investigated by means of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization curves and hydrogen evolution measurements. Cytocompatibility and antibacterial performance of the coatings were probed using in vitro cytotoxicity tests (MTT), live/dead cell staining and plate counting method. Results indicate that the MAO/CIP-PMTMS coating possesses enhanced corrosion resistance, antibacterial ability and cytocompatibility. It provides a way to effectively curb the sudden release and short release period of drugs, due to the reversible esterification reaction between -COOH in CIP and Si-OH in PMTMS during the coating formation and degradation process. And it holds a great potential in the applications of medical devices and bone implant materials.

A micro-arc oxidation (MAO)/zinc stearate (ZnSA) composite coating was fabricated via MAO processing and subsequent sealing with electrodeposition of a superhydrophobic ZnSA. The surface morphologies, chemical composition and corrosion resistance of the coatings were investigated using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical and hydrogen evolution measurements. Results indicated that the MAO coating was efficiently sealed by the following superhydrophobic ZnSA coating. The MAO/ZnSA composite coating significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of Mg alloy Mg-4Li-1Ca due to its superhydrophobic function. Additionally, corrosion mechanism was suggested and discussed for the composite coating.