Corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of tantalum-surface-functionalized biomedical ZK60 Mg alloy

Tantalum (Ta) is introduced to the surface of the ZK60 Mg alloy by reactive magnetron sputtering to enhance the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility. The film thickness and composition, corrosion behavior, and cytocompatibility are studied by various techniques systematically. The surface layer composed of Ta2O5, Ta suboxide, and Ta increases the corrosion resistance of ZK60 while simultaneously improving cell attachment, spreading, and proliferation in vitro. The enhancement mechanism is proposed and discussed.