Bio-corrosion and cytotoxicity studies on novel Zr₅₅Co₃₀Ti₁₅ and Cu₆₀Zr₂₀Ti₂₀ metallic glasses

Abstract

Metallic glasses are a potential and compatible implant candidate for biomedical applications. In the present investigation, a comparative study between novel Zr₅₅Co₃₀Ti₁₅ and Cu₆₀Zr₂₀Ti₂₀ metallic glasses is carried out to evaluate in vitro biocompatibility using simulated body fluids. The bio-corrosion behavior of Zr- and Cu-based metallic glasses in different types of artificial body fluids such as artificial saliva solution, phosphate-buffered saline solution, artificial blood plasma solution, and Hank’s balanced saline solution is evaluated using potentiodynamic polarization studies at a constant body temperature of 310.15 K (37°C). Surface morphology of samples after bio-corrosion experiments was observed by scanning electron microscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity test on glassy alloys were performed using human osteosarcoma cell line as per 10993-5 guidelines from International Organization for Standardization. The comparative study between Zr- and Cu-based glassy alloys provides vital information about the effect of elemental composition on biocompatibility of metallic glasses.