Surface modification of Magnesium and its alloy as orthopedic biomaterials with biopolymers

Abstract Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys, as biodegradable materials, have received a huge interest in biomedical applications, especially, in the manufacturing of orthopedic implants (e.g., plates and pins). However, they are prone to rapid corrosion and degradation, and hence they do not fulfil all the essential clinical requirements. Consequently, plenty of surface modification approaches have been introduced for the improvement of corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, including metal coatings, nanoporous in organic coatings and biopolymer depositions. Compared to other permanent coating materials, biopolymers are promising candidates for the surface modification of implants, in regard of their high biocompatibility, moderate biodegradability and high corrosion inhibition ability. In this chapter, the use of cationic chitosan and cellulose/cellulose derivatives, naturally occurring polymers, as coating materials for magnesium-based implants, are summarized.