Natural potential difference induced functional optimization mechanism for Zn-based multimetal bone implants.

ABSTRACT: Zn-based biodegradable metals (BMs) are regarded as revolutionary biomaterials for bone implants. However, their clinical application is limited by insufficient mechanical properties, delayed in vivo degradation, and overdose-induced Zn²⁺ toxicity. Herein, innovative multi-material additive manufacturing (MMAM) is deployed to construct a Zn/titanium (Ti) hetero-structured composite. The biodegradation and biofunction of Zn exhibited intriguing characteristics in composites. A potential difference of about 300 mV naturally existed between Zn and Ti. This natural potential difference triggered galvanic coupling corrosion, resulting in 2.7 times accelerated degradation of Zn. The excess release of Zn²⁺ induced by accelerated degradation enhanced the antibacterial

SUBMITTER: Xu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11664294 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature