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Representative SEM images of pure Zn and Zn-Cu-Fe alloy after removing degradation products (low magnification: 100 × and high magnification: 500 ×).

Representative SEM images of pure Zn and Zn-Cu-Fe alloy after removing degradation products (low magnification: 100 × and high magnification: 500 ×).

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Zinc-based nanoparticles, nanoscale metal frameworks and metals have been considered as biocompatible materials for bone tissue engineering. Among them, zinc-based metals are recognized as promising biodegradable materials thanks to their moderate degradation rate ranging between magnesium and iron. Nonetheless, materials’ biodegradability and the...

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... Biodegradable Zn alloys have advanced significantly in recent years due to their biological significance in bone metabolism, which includes their capacity to promote the production of osteoblasts while simultaneously inhibiting the differentiation of osteoclasts and enhancing bone strength. Therefore, it would seem that biodegradable Zn alloys offer distinct advantages over biodegradable polymers and Mg alloys in orthopedic applications [16][17][18] . many opaque objects have yet been produced with them. ...
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This work aimed to improve the rapid biodegradation, poor wear resistance properties, and lack of bioactivity of metallic biomaterials to be used in orthopedic applications. In this context, zinc–magnesium (Zn–Mg) alloy with successive contents of calcium silicate (CaSiO3) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) was prepared using powder metallurgy technique. After sintering, their phase composition and microstructure were investigated using the X-ray diffraction technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. Furthermore, their degradation behavior and ability to form hydroxyapatite (HA) layer on the sample surface after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) were monitored using weight loss measurements, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, and SEM. Moreover, their tribo-mechanical properties were measured. The results obtained showed that the successive contents of CaSiO3 were responsible for improving the bioactivity behavior as indicated by a good formation of the HA layer on the samples’ surface. Additionally, ceramic materials were responsible for a continuous decrease in the released ions in the SBF solution as indicated by the ICP results. The tribology properties were significantly improved even after exposure to different loads. Based on the above results, the prepared nanocomposites are promising for use in orthopedic applications.
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This Special Issue, “Functional Biomaterials and Digital Technologies in Dentistry: From Bench to Bedside”, highlights the integration of advanced materials science and digital technologies in dental and maxillofacial applications [...]
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Objectives To examine the 16-year developmental history, research hotspots, and emerging trends of zinc-based biodegradable metallic materials from the perspective of structural and temporal dynamics. Methods The literature on zinc-based biodegradable metallic materials in WoSCC was searched. Historical characteristics, the evolution of active topics and development trends in the field of zinc-based biodegradable metallic materials were analyzed using the bibliometric tools CiteSpace and HistCite. Results Over the past 16 years, the field of zinc-based biodegradable metal materials has remained in a hotspot stage, with extensive scientific collaboration. In addition, there are 45 subject categories and 51 keywords in different research periods, and 80 papers experience citation bursts. Keyword clustering anchored 3 emerging research subfields, namely, #1 plastic deformation #4 additive manufacturing #5 surface modification. The keyword alluvial map shows that the longest-lasting research concepts in the field are mechanical property, microstructure, corrosion behavior, etc., and emerging keywords are additive manufacturing, surface modification, dynamic recrystallization, etc. The most recent research on reference clustering has six subfields. Namely, #0 microstructure, #2 sem, #3 additive manufacturing, #4 laser powder bed fusion, #5 implant, and #7 Zn–1Mg. Conclusion The results of the bibliometric study provide the current status and trends of research on zinc-based biodegradable metallic materials, which can help researchers identify hot spots and explore new research directions in the field.
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Bone fractures and critical-size bone defects are significant public health issues, and clinical treatment outcomes are closely related to the intrinsic properties of the utilized implant materials. Zinc (Zn)-based biodegradable metals (BMs) have emerged as promising bioactive materials because of their exceptional biocompatibility, appropriate mechanical properties, and controllable biodegradation. This review summarizes the state of the art in terms of Zn-based metals for bone repair and regeneration, focusing on bridging the gap between biological mechanism and required bioactivity. The molecular mechanism underlying the release of Zn ions from Zn-based BMs in the improvement of bone repair and regeneration is elucidated. By integrating clinical considerations and the specific bioactivity required for implant materials, this review summarizes the current research status of Zn-based internal fixation materials for promoting fracture healing, Zn-based scaffolds for regenerating critical-size bone defects, and Zn-based barrier membranes for reconstituting alveolar bone defects. Considering the significant progress made in the research on Zn-based BMs for potential clinical applications, the challenges and promising research directions are proposed and discussed.
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Over the last decades, biodegradable metals have gained popularity for biomedical applications due to their ability to assist in tissue healing. These materials degrade in vivo, while the corrosion products formed are either absorbed or excreted by the body, and no further surgical intervention is required for removal. Intensive research has been carried out mainly on degradable biomaterials based on Mg and Fe. In recent years, zinc‐based degradable biomaterials have been explored by the biomedical community for their intrinsic physiological relevance, desirable biocompatibility, intermediate degradation rate, tuneable mechanical properties and pro‐regeneration properties. Since pure Zn does not exhibit sufficient mechanical properties for orthopedic applications, various Zn alloys with better properties are being developed. In this work, the combined effect of minor Fe addition to Zn and a polyethyleneglycol (PEG) coating on the surface morphology, degradation, cytotoxicity and mechanical properties of Zn‐based materials was studied. There are several studies regarding the influence of the production of Zn alloys, but the effect of polymer coating on the properties of Zn‐based materials has not been reported yet. A positive effect of Fe addition and polymer coating on the degradation rate and mechanical properties was observed. However, a reduction in biocompatibility was also detected.
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Scientific backgrounds: Development of nanostructured biodegradable alloys has generated a great deal of interest in the recent years as they offer promising bioactive materials for reconstruction of bony defects following traumatic fractures or surgical excision of tumors. Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the biocompatibility of Iron–Manganese -based alloys (Fe–Mn) with addition of copper (Cu), Tungsten (W) and cobalt (Co) to obtain 3 different alloys namely, Fe–Mn–Cu, Fe–Mn–W, and Fe–Mn–Co on normal oral epithelial cell line,and their possible anticancer effect on MG-63: osteosarcoma cell line. Materials and methods: The sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay was used to assess cell viability percentage of both cell lines after exposure to discs of the proposed experimental alloys. Moreover, the antibacterial effect of such alloys against Escherichia coli (E. coli) was tested using disc diffusion susceptibility (Kirby-Bauer method) and colony suspension method. Results: The cell viability percentage of oral epithelial cell line showed a significant increase in all the experimental groups in comparison to the control group. The highest percentage was observed in Fe–Mn–Co group, followed by Fe–Mn–W then Fe–Mn–Cu, at 24 and 72-h intervals, respectively. While the cell viability percentage of osteosarcoma cell line showed significant increase in all the experimental groups at 24-h intervals, it showed a significant drop in all the study groups at 72-h intervals. The lowest percentage was observed in Fe–Mn–Cu group, followed by Fe–Mn–W then Fe–Mn–Co. Moreover, all the examined study groups didn’t show any inhibition zones against E. coli reference culture Conclusions: The novel nanostructured biodegradable Fe–Mn–Cu, Fe–Mn–W, and Fe–Mn–Co metal alloys exhibit good biocompatibility on oral epithelial cell lines with the enhancement of cell proliferation in a time-dependent manner that favors bone regeneration. On the other hand, all the alloys manifested possible anticancer activity against MG-63: osteosarcoma cell line. Furthermore, our study sheds the light on the importance of Co, W and Cu as promising alloying elements. However, the antibacterial activity of the examined alloys is still questionable. Clinical relevance: The novel nanostructured biodegradable Fe–Mn–Cu, Fe–Mn–W, and Fe–Mn–Co metal alloys offer promising bioactive materials for reconstruction of bony defects following traumatic fractures or surgical excision of tumors, In addition, they could be excellent alternatives for undegradable or non-resorbable alloys that are commonly used. Moreover, they could be used as beneficial 3D printing materials to obtain patient-specific medical implants that favor bone regeneration in addition to manufacturing of plates and screws suitable for fracture fixation.
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Zinc-based biodegradable metals (BMs) have been developed for biomedical implant materials. However, the cytotoxicity of Zn and its alloys has caused controversy. This work aims to investigate whether Zn and its alloys possess cytotoxic effects and the corresponding influence factors. According to the guidelines of the PRISMA statement, an electronic combined hand search was conducted to retrieve articles published in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus (2013.1–2023.2) following the PICOS strategy. Eighty-six eligible articles were included. The quality of the included toxicity studies was assessed utilizing the ToxRTool. Among the included articles, extract tests were performed in 83 studies, and direct contact tests were conducted in 18 studies. According to the results of this review, the cytotoxicity of Zn-based BMs is mainly determined by three factors, namely, Zn-based materials, tested cells, and test system. Notably, Zn and its alloys did not exhibit cytotoxic effects under certain test conditions, but significant heterogeneity existed in the implementation of the cytotoxicity evaluation. Furthermore, there is currently a relatively lower quality of current cytotoxicity evaluation in Zn-based BMs owing to the adoption of nonuniform standards. Establishing a standardized in vitro toxicity assessment system for Zn-based BMs is required for future investigations.
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Three-dimensionally printed polyetheretherketone (PEEK) materials are promising for fabricating customized dental abutments. This study aimed to investigate the adhesive property of a 3D-printed PEEK material. The effects of surface treatment and temporary crown materials on shear bond strength were evaluated. A total of 108 PEEK discs were 3D printed by fused-filament fabrication. Surface treatments, including sandblasting, abrasive paper grinding, and CO2 laser ablation, were applied to the PEEK discs, with the untreated specimens set as the control. Afterward, the surface topographies of each group were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, n = 1) and roughness measurements (n = 7). After preparing the bonding specimens with three temporary crown materials (Artificial teeth resin (ATR), 3M™ Filtek™ Supreme Flowable Restorative (FR), and Cool Temp NATURAL (CTN)), the shear bond strength was measured (n = 6), and the failure modes were analyzed by microscopy and SEM. The results showed that ATR exhibited a significantly higher shear bond strength compared to FR and CTN (p < 0.01), and the PEEK surfaces treated by sandblasting and abrasive paper grinding showed a statistically higher shear bond strength compared to the control (p < 0.05). For clinical application, the ATR material and subtractive surface treatments are recommended for 3D-printed PEEK abutments.