Electrochemical deposition of calcium phosphates on magnesium and its alloys for improved biodegradation performance: A review

•Electrochemical deposition of calcium phosphates on magnesium-based materials•Electrochemical parameters, electrolyte and alkali treatment influence the coatings.•In vitro general and localized degradation enhanced by calcium phosphate coatings•Calcium phosphate coatings improved in vitro mechanical integrity.

Magnesium and its alloys have been widely studied in recent years for load-bearing biodegradable implant applications due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. Unfortunately, there are two major concerns with these materials, i.e., high degradation rate and localized degradation susceptibility which can affect the in-service mechanical integrity. This review paper focuses on the potential use of calcium phosphates as biocompatible coatings on magnesium-based materials to control their degradation rates and also delay their localized degradation tendency.