Abstract
An anodizing electrolyte solution composed of zirconium oxide nanoparticles (ZrO2-NPs) was nucleated within CaP compounds dispersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) and was then deposited on an AZ31B magnesium alloy. The anodized bioceramic layer is intended to significantly improve the surface properties of the magnesium alloy by increasing the resistance to corrosion and improving biological compatibility. A surface analysis confirmed the successful deposition of the compounds on the AZ31B magnesium alloy, the mechanical hardness and the surface roughness of the coated samples were subsequently investigated. The potentiodynamic polarization obtained during the electrochemical corrosion test indicated that the treated samples had an improved corrosion resistance relative to untreated ones. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the prepared samples was evaluated using an indirect extraction test for human endothelial cells (EA.hy926). The results indicated that none of the coated samples exhibited obvious cytotoxicity. The anodized samples have good cell viability, corrosion resistance and are therefore considered to be good candidates for use with biodegradable magnesium materials for biomedical applications.