Influence of biodegradable polymer coatings on corrosion, cytocompatibility and cell functionality of Mg-2.0Zn-0.98Mn magnesium alloy.

Four kinds of biodegradable polymers were employed to prepare bioresorbable coatings on Mg-2.0Zn-0.98Mn (ZM21) alloy to understand the relationship between polymer characteristics, protective effects on substrate corrosion, cytocompatibility and cell functionality. Poly-l-lactide (PLLA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) or poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) was spin-coated on ZM21, obtaining a smooth, non-porous coating less than 0.5μm in thickness. Polymer coating characterization, a degradation study, and biocompatibility evaluations were performed. After 4 w of immersion into cell culture medium, degradation of PLGA and PLLA coatings were confirmed by ATR-FTIR observation. The coatings of PLLA, PHB and PHBV, which have lower water permeability and slower degradation than PLGA, provide better suppression of initial ZM21 degradation and faster promotion of human osteosarcoma cell growth and differentiation.