Corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glass for biomedical applications

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• 作者：Her-Hsiung Huang ; Ying-Sui Sun ; Chia-Ping Wu ; Chia-Fei Liu ; Peter K. Liaw ; Wu Kai
• 关键词：B. Biocompatibility ; B. Corrosion ; G. Biomedical applications
• 刊名：Intermetallics
• 出版年：2012
• 出版时间：November, 2012
• 年：2012
• 卷：30
• 期：Complete
• 页码：139-143
• 全文大小：693 K

文摘

Aim

Currently, the potential applications of Ni-free bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) in biomedical fields that have been reported in the literature are still limited. In this study, the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of Ni-free, Zr-based Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ BMGs in biological environments were investigated.

Methods

The corrosion resistance was evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization curve measurements in simulated biological environments. The cytotoxicity was evaluated according to specification 10993-5 from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The protein (albumin) adsorption was evaluated using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. The adhesion and in situ migration of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were also evaluated.

Results

The main component on the outermost surface of Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ BMG was ZrO₂, with trace amounts of Cu and Al oxides. The corrosion rates of Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ in artificial saliva and in simulated body fluid were comparable with those of biomedical Ti metal in the same environments; however, pitting corrosion was observed on Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ in both environments. The cytotoxicity analysis results showed that Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ was nontoxic. Compared with Ti metal, Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ had a higher level of protein adsorption and better cell adhesion and cell migration.

Conclusion

Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ BMG has the potential to be used in biomedical applications because of its corrosion resistance and cellular responses. However, further improvements to the pitting corrosion resistance of Zr₅₀Cu₄₃Al₇ in biological environments should be made before proceeding to in?vivo animal studies.