In vitro biodegradation, electrochemical corrosion evaluations and mechanical properties of an Mg/HA/TiO2 nanocomposite for biomedical applications

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2017-03, Vol.696, p.768-781
• Main Authors: Khalajabadi, Shahrouz Zamani, Ahmad, Norhayati, Izman, Sudin, Haji Abu, Aminudin Bin, Haider, Waseem, Abdul Kadir, Mohammed Rafiq
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodegradation; Cell culture; Contact angle; Mechanical properties; Mg/HA/TiO2 nanocomposite; Nanoflakes
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2016.11.106

In this study, a biodegradable Mg/HA/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared using a milling-pressing-sintering powder metallurgy technique. The combined effects of hydroxyapatite (HA) and titania (TiO2) on the corrosion behavior of pure Mg were investigated via in vitro immersion and electrochemical tests in a simulated body fluid (SBF), and changes in the mechanical properties were analyzed using a compression test. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic-force microscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigate the composition and microstructure of the Mg/HA/TiO2 bionanocomposite as well as the morphology of the corrosion products. The corrosion rate of the Mg/HA nanocomposite decreased both in terms of mass loss and hydrogen evolution with a decrease in HA from 27.5 to 5 wt% and an addition of 15 wt% TiO2. By sintering the Mg/HA/TiO2 nanocomposites, MgTiO3 nanoflakes were formed with a hierarchical microstructure on the surface of the samples. The compression and electrochemical tests indicated that the ternary Mg/12.5HA/10TiO2 nanocomposite had a good combination of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of 12.17 kΩ cm2 in the SBF solution. The cell culture results indicated that the Mg/HA/TiO2 nanocomposite was biocompatible with osteoblasts. •The corrosion and hydrogen evolution rates of Mg/HA/TiO2 bionanocomposite were decreased by increasing TiO2 content.•Nanoflakes of MgTiO3 were synthesized on the sintered-Mg/HA/TiO2 bionanocomposites by MSR mechanism.•The compressive failure strain of Mg/HA/TiO2 bionanocomposites increased as wt% HA decreased.•Cell viability was decreased by decrease in HA content of Mg/HA/TiO2 bionanocomposites.