Biopolymer-coated magnesium-alloy-based multi-functional bio-nanocomposite scaffolds

Abstract

PM-technique produced magnesium-alloy bio-nanocomposite porous scaffolds with carbamide as porogen. Mg samples were alloyed with Ca, Zn, and Sr for enhanced mechanical performance and deterioration resistance. Nano-fluorcanasite, a bioactive-chain-silicate glass-ceramic reinforcement, was added to the magnesium-metal-matrix to induce new bone cell growth. Dip-coating was used to coat bare magnesium samples with PCL. FE-SEM-EDS findings showed gradient-porosity and coating thickness of 70–90 µm. After 28-days of immersion, C-S1 and C-S2 had compressive and residual-compressive strengths 10% to 15% higher than C-S0. As Ca, Zn, and Sr hydroxyapatites formed, C-S1 and C-S2 degradation reduced with immersion time. Biodegradation matches immersion liquid pH, hydrogen gas evolution, and cytocompatibility. As porosity increased from 50% to 60%, scaffold compressive strength and modulus decreased but remained in line with that of a human cancellous bone. PCL-coated customized nanocomposite magnesium alloy-based biomaterials may be promising biodegradable bone tissue repair implant materials with configurable mechanical and degradable attributes.