Nanolayers on magnesium (mg) alloy for metallic bone tissue engineering scaffolds

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have been gaining interest for their potential use as a metallic scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications due to its fast corrosion in aqueous environments and nontoxic corrosion by products. However surface modification strategies are needed to modify the surface of the Mg alloy for its applicability in these applications. In this report we describe an experimental approach for depositing self-assembled mono/multilayers (SAMs) of octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) on the native oxide layer of magnesium alloy. These layers were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and contact angle measurements (CA). Infrared analysis exhibited an ordered ODPA film on Mg alloy. XPS and FTIR collectively confirmed the presence of ODPA on the surface of Mg alloy. Contact angle measurements demonstrated the change in wettability of the surface after deposition of the ODPA layer. AFM showed changes in surface roughness and topography after ODPA deposition. Formation of these self assembled layers on Mg allows it to serve as a platform for cell growth for Mg's application as a metallic scaffold for bone tissue engineering.