In vitro investigation of Mg–Zn–Ca–Ag bulk metallic glasses for biomedical applications

•Mg–Zn–Ca–Ag BMGs possess enhanced corrosion resistance due to Ag incorporation.•Ag addition decreases the glass-forming ability of the Mg–Zn–Ca alloys.•Mg–Zn–Ca–Ag BMGs exhibit suppressed hydrogen evolution and good cytocompatibility.

For the purpose of developing biodegradable magnesium alloys with suitable properties for biomedical applications, Mg–Zn–Ca–Ag metallic glasses (MGs) were synthesized by copper-mold casting and melt spinning. The effects of Ag addition on the glass formation, thermal stability, microhardness, hydrogen evolution, corrosion resistance, and cytocompatibility of the Mg-based glassy alloys were studied in vitro. The corrosion resistance and the capability of suppressing the hydrogen evolution are enhanced for the Ag-containing alloys, in comparison to the Mg–Zn–Ca MG, though the incorporation of Ag decreases the glass-forming ability but influences insignificantly on microhardness. The higher cellular viability of the Ag-containing alloys than that of the Ag-free alloy was also revealed by direct cell-culture experiments. Thus, Mg–Zn–Ca–Ag MGs possess the potential to be employed as biodegradable materials.