Electrodeposition of hydroxyapatite coating on magnesium for biomedical applications

The effectiveness of hydroxyapatite (HA) coating prepared by electrodeposition technique in improving the corrosion resistance of commercially pure magnesium (CP-Mg) in simulated body fluid (SBF) is addressed. The coating formed in as-deposited condition is identified as dicalcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) (Brushite), which is converted to HA after immersion in 1 M NaOH at 80°C for 2 h. The XRD patterns and FTIR spectra confirm the formation of DCPD and HA. During electrodeposition, the H ₂PO ₄ ^- ion is reduced and the reaction between Ca ²⁺ ions and the reduced phosphate ions leads to the formation of DCPD, which is converted to HA following treatment in NaOH. The deposition of HA coating enables a threefold increase in the corrosion resistance of CP-Mg. The ability to offer a significant improvement in corrosion resistance coupled with the bioactive characteristics of the HA coating establish that electrodeposition of HA is a viable approach to engineer the surface of CP-Mg in the development of Mg-based degradable implant materials. © ACA and OCCA 2011.