Electrodeposition of Ca-P coatings on biodegradable Mg alloy: in vitro biomineralization behavior

Preparing stabilized apatite on biodegradable Mg alloy may improve biocompatibility and promote osteointegration. In the present work, three kinds of Ca-P coatings, brushite (DCPD, CaHPO(4).2H(2)O), hydroxyapatite (HA, Ca(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2)) and fluoridated hydroxyapatite (FHA, Ca(5)(PO(4))(3)(OH)(1-)(x)F(x)) are fabricated by electrodeposition on a biodegradable Mg-Zn alloy. The crystalline structures, morphologies and compositions of these Ca-P coatings have been characterized by X-ray diffrection, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectoscopy. The effects of these coatings on the degradation behavior and mineralization activity of the Mg-Zn alloy have also been investigated. The experimental results showed that these coatings decreased the degradation rate of Mg-Zn alloy, while the precipitates on the uncoated and DCPD-coated Mg-Zn alloy in modified simulated biological fluid had low Ca/P molar ratios, which delayed bone-like apatite formation. Both the HA and FHA coating could promote the nucleation of osteoconductive minerals (bone-like apatite or beta-TCP) for 1month. However, the HA coating transformed from DCPD through alkali heat treatment was fragile and less stable, and therefore its long-term corrosion resistance was not satisfactory. Instead, the FHA was more stable and had better corrosion resistance, and thus it should be better suited as a coating of Mg implants for orthopedic applications.