In vitro corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of layer-by-layer assembled chitosan/poly-L-glutamic acid coating on AZ31 magnesium alloys

Surface functionalization of magnesium (Mg) alloys is desired to obtain the surfaces with both improved corrosion resistance and antibacterial property. A corrosion-resistant and antimicrobial coating was prepared on Mg alloy surface by layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of chitosan (CHI) and poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA) by electrostatic attraction. The functionalized surfaces of the Mg alloys were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and electrochemical tests. The bactericidal activity of the samples against Staphylococcus aureus was assessed by the zone of plate-counting method. The obtained coating on the Mg alloy substrates exhibits good corrosion resistance and antibacterial performance.