In vitro characterization of self-assembled nanoflowers structures on Mg ZX10 for biomedical application.

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are promising candidates for biodegradable implants; however, their rapid degradation in physiological environments limits their clinical application. This study evaluates the effect of nanoflower-like (NF) inorganic coatings on the corrosion behavior and hemocompatibility of a Mg-0.94Zn-0.15Ca alloy (Mg ZX10). NF coatings were formed by immersing sterilized samples in simulated body fluid (SBF) or phosphate buffer (PB) under cell culture conditions (37 °C, 5% CO2, 95% humidity) for 3 or 7 days. Surface characterization of control and NF-coated samples was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical testing. Hemocompatibility was assessed by direct hemolysis assays. Immersion in both media induced the formation of hierarchical NF-like aggregates covering the Mg ZX10 surfaces, with morphology dependent on the immersion conditions. XPS and ATR-FTIR confirmed magnesium carbonate hydroxide hydrates in SBF-treated samples and phosphate compounds in PB-treated samples. Electrochemical evaluation in Hanks’ balanced salt solution revealed reduced corrosion resistance in NF-coated Mg ZX10, leading to higher degradation compared to sterilized controls. Nonetheless, NF-coated surfaces exhibited a pronounced reduction in hemolysis compared to the control alloy, indicating improved blood compatibility. These findings suggest that simple immersion-based techniques can generate nanostructured coatings that improve hemocompatibility while promoting a surface-layer-dependent corrosion response of the Mg ZX10 alloy, supporting their potential application in biodegradable implant technology.