PhD thesis supervisor: dr. Asta Grigucevičienė (apply for recommendation)
Influence of surface modification on the mechanical properties and biodegradation of magnesium alloys in biological environments
Magnesium alloys are considered promising biomaterials for temporary implants due to their low density, mechanical properties similar to those of natural bone, and biological compatibility. The use of biodegradable implants avoids the need for additional surgical intervention to remove temporary implants after the body has recovered. This is a very promising and actively researched area, as the use of such implants reduces treatment costs and patient recovery time. The main challenge is to control the degradation process in the primary (healing) and secondary (degradation) stages. The practical application of magnesium alloys is limited by the difficult-to-control corrosion rate in physiological media, which leads to early loss of mechanical integrity, hydrogen evolution, and undesirable changes in the pH of the medium.
Surface modification stands as a particularly promising strategy for regulating the behaviour of magnesium alloys in biological environments. However, a paucity of data exists in the scientific literature on systematic studies that comprehensively assess the effect of surface modification, analysing both the course of biodegradation and changes in mechanical properties. The objective of this study is to assess the impact of surface modification of magnesium alloys on their mechanical properties and the progression of biodegradation in biological media. The objective of this study is to analyse the influence of surface modification on corrosion processes, changes in mechanical properties, and overall material stability in biological media. The results obtained will contribute to the development of scientifically based surface modification strategies for safer and more effective application of biodegradable magnesium implants.