This article discusses the influence of the thickness of TiO2 films deposited onto MgCa2Zn1 and MgCa2Zn1Gd3 alloys on their structure, corrosion behavior, and cytotoxicity. TiO2 layers (about 200 and 400 nm thick) were applied using magnetron sputtering, which provides strong substrate adhesion. Such titanium dioxide films have many attractive properties, such as high corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. These oxide coatings stimulate osteoblast adhesion and proliferation compared to alloys without the protective films. Microscopic observations show that the TiO2 surface morphology is homogeneous, the grains have a spherical shape (with dimensions from 18 to 160 nm). Based on XRD analysis, it can be stated that all the studied TiO2 layers have an anatase structure. The results of electrochemical and immersion studies, performed in Ringer's solution at 37 °C, show that the corrosion resistance of the studied TiO2 does not always increase proportionally with the thickness of the films. This is a result of grain refinement and differences in the density of the titanium dioxide films applied using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. The results of 24 h immersion tests indicate that the lowest volume of evolved H2 (5.92 mL/cm2) was with the 400 nm thick film deposited onto the MgCa2Zn1Gd3 alloy. This result is in agreement with the good biocompatibility of this TiO2 film, confirmed by cytotoxicity tests.
Keywords: Mg-based alloys; TiO2 films; cytotoxicity assays; electrochemical study; hydrogen evolution; structure study.