Improvement of corrosion and biological properties of microarc oxidized coatings on Mg–Zn–Zr alloy by optimizing negative power density parameters

Corrosion and biological properties of microarc oxidized calcium phosphate (CaP) coatings on Mg–Zn–Zr alloy were improved by optimizing negative power density parameters. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were employed to characterize the coating morphology and phase composition. The in vitro cytotoxicity and systemic toxicity tests were carried out to evaluate the coating biocompatibility. The degradability and bioactivity of the coatings were determined by in vitro simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion test. The coating microstructure, thickness and growth rate can be influenced by negative power density through changing direction of ions movements, rate of ions exchanges and affecting formation of plasma. The CaP coatings reduced the substrate degradation rate. Calcium phosphates, such as hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2, HA) and calcium pyrophosphate (Ca2P2O7, CPP), etc., were induced after 30 days SBF immersion, indicating that the coatings have bioactivity. The CaP coatings have no toxicity to cell and living mice, indicating that the coatings are safe to serve as implants.