Improved anticorrosion of magnesium alloy via layer-by-layer self-assembly technique combined with micro-arc oxidation

Abstract To enhance corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy, chitosan (CHI) and poly (styrene sulfonate) (PSS) polyelectrolyte multilayers were fabricated on micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treated magnesium alloy substrate via layer-by-layer (LBL) self-assembly technique. Surface morphology and chemical composition of the MAO/LBL composite coating were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Potentiodynamic polarization test and hydrogen evolution measurement showed that the formed MAO/LBL coating significantly enhanced corrosion resistance of WE43 magnesium alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF). The approach presented here affords an effective alternative for surface modification of magnesium-based materials to meet the requirements of biomaterials applications.