• Harmsen, Martin C.
• Echeverry-Rendon, Monica
• Duque, Valentina
• Quintero, David
• Echeverria, Felix

Abstract

<p>The use of Magnesium as biomedical implant has increased in recent years due to its ability to reabsorb in the body without causing adverse effects. For this kind of application, sterilization method should be considered to ensure the appropriate performance of the implant. The present study focused on the influence of different sterilization techniques such as steam autoclaving, dry-heating (170 degrees C), UV irradiation and steam formaldehyde on surface characteristics, composition and wettability of commercially pure Mg anodized in a silicate solution. Characterization of the samples was done by SEM, EDS, and XRD. Surface free energy was calculated by contact angle measurement. Changes in biological activity were assessed in vitro as a hemolysis assay. Our results showed that UV treatment generated only minor surface changes, but that irregularly shaped surface pores might prevent full penetrance and sterilization of the assessed materials. Dry-heat induced cracks on the surfaces and formaldehyde affected the surface morphology. Despite autoclave was the treatment that showed the highest changes in the surface energy, it did not induce structural surface changes and therefore it was considered as the choice option for the sterilization of Mg samples.</p>

Topics

• pore
• morphology
• surface
• scanning electron microscopy
• x-ray diffraction
• Magnesium
• Magnesium
• crack
• Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
• surface energy
• autoclaving
• commercially pure magnesium