Characterization and In Vitro Behavior of PEO Coated Mg Modified with Antibacterial Ag(I) and Cu(II) Complexes.

The use of Mg-based biomaterials with a number of their advantageous properties are overshadowed by uncontrollable metal corrosion. Moreover, the use of implants goes alongside with the threat of pathogens-associated complications. In this study, PEO coated Mg biomaterial loaded with antibacterial Ag(I) and Cu(II) complexes is produced and tested to meet both appropriate protective characteristics as well as sufficient level of antibacterial activity. To achieve a suitable level of anticorrosion protection phosphate and fluoride-phosphate electrolytes are used in the PEO process. Investigation of the surface thickness and morphology done by means of cross-section analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) assay show precedence of the fluoride containing PEO coating and make it the material of choice for further modification with Ag(I) and Cu(II) complexes. The presence of the complexes on the PEO surface is confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) are used to estimate the complexes' chemical state and depth of penetration in the coating surface. Based on the results of antibacterial assay, the modified coatings are found to be active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Approaching "stainless magnesium" by Ca micro-alloying.

Severe corrosion of Mg and Mg alloys is a major issue hindering their wider application in transportation industry, medical implants and aqueous batteries. Previously, no Mg-based material has been found with a significantly lower corrosion rate than that of ultra-high-purity Mg, i.e. 0.25 mm y-1 in concentrated NaCl solution. In this work for the first time, highly corrosion-resistant Mg is found to be accomplishable by Ca micro-alloying, bringing "stainless Mg" closer. The designed Mg-Ca lean alloys possess incredibly low corrosion rates, less than 0.1 mm y-1 in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, which are significantly lower than that of ultra-high-purity Mg and all Mg alloys reported thus far. The outstanding corrosion resistance is attributed to inhibition of cathodic water reduction kinetics, impurities stabilizing and a protective surface film induced by Ca micro-alloying. Combined with the environmental benignity and economic viability, Ca micro-alloying renders huge feasibility on developing advanced Mg-based materials for diverse applications.

Synergistic Mixture of Electrolyte Additives: A Route to a High-Efficiency Mg-Air Battery.

Magnesium primary cells are currently experiencing a renaissance following the suggestion of new strategies to boost their performance. The strategies suggested will maintain utilization efficiencies of 30-70%, which is considered to be relatively modest. In this work, the highest ever reported level of utilization efficiency of 82% is achieved for a Mg-based primary cell using a synergistic combination of electrolyte additives. It is demonstrated that the joint use of sodium nitrate and salicylate as electrolyte additives allows us to reach the aforementioned utilization efficiency of 5 mA/cm2 via offering an effective suppression of anode self-corrosion and uniform Mg dissolution under discharge conditions.