A simple route towards a hydroxyapatite–Mg(OH)2 conversion coating for magnesium

A method that does not require an applied electrical signal or cladding technique is exploited to generate a hydroxyapatite (HA) containing conversion coating on Mg. The coating contained HA + Mg(OH)2 and was shown to control dissolution of Mg. Electrochemical and immersion tests were used to examine the biodegradation performance of coated Mg in Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) via exposure in a CO2 incubator at 37 °C. The results herein reveal that the HA–Mg(OH)2 coatings significantly retard the biodegradation rate of the substrate.

► A simple hydroxyapatite (HA)–Mg(OH)2 conversion-coating route was exploited on magnesium.
► This method does not require an applied electrical signal or cladding technique.
► Such biomimetic coatings are suitable controlled dissolution of bioresorbable Mg implants.
► The results revealed that the (HA)–Mg(OH)2 coatings significantly retard the Mg biodegradation.