Investigation of Nitrogen-Doped Amorphous Carbon Nanofilms on Magnesium Alloys: A Study of Chemical Characteristics, Microstructural Analysis, Corrosion Behavior, and Biocompatibility

The study shows the application of a nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon (a-C) thin nano film on magnesium alloy (Mg-Zn-Ca) to enhance corrosion resistance and biocompatibility for orthopaedic implants. After polishing and cleaning the alloy surface, the a-C film, synthesized by using a polymer composite based on branching polyethyleneimine, was applied, resulting in an ultrathin and ultra-smooth deposition. Characterization techniques such as XPS, Raman spectroscopy, TEM, and PXRD confirmed the amorphous nature of the coating. The electrochemical analysis reported that the synthesized a-C coating significantly reduces the corrosion rate. Additionally, cytotoxicity tests confirmed the film is non-toxic, proving its suitability for clinical applications. a-C film, being biocompatible and inert, shows to be an effective material for improving the performance of magnesium-based implants, paving the way for safer and more effective orthopaedic solutions.