Biodegradable Zn–Dy binary alloys with high strength, ductility, cytocompatibility, and antibacterial ability for bone-implant applications

The unique combination of biodegradability , biocompatibility, and functionality of zinc (Zn)-based alloys makes them highly desirable for a wide range of medical applications. However, a long-standing problem associated with this family of biodegradable alloys in the as-cast state is their limited mechanical strength and slow degradation rate. Here we report the development of Zn-xDy (x = 1, 3, and 5 wt.%) alloys with high strength, ductility, cytocompatibility, antibacterial ability, and appropriate degradation rate for biodegradable bone-implant applications. Our results indicate that the mechanical properties of Zn–xDy alloys were effectively improved with increasing Dy addition and hot-rolling due to the second-phase strengthening. The hot-rolled (HR) Zn–3Dy alloy showed the best combined mechanical performance with an ultimate tensile strength of 270.5 MPa, a yield strength of 214.8 MPa, an elongation of 55.1%, and Brinell hardness of 75.9 HB. The corrosion and degradation rates of HR Zn–xDy alloys in Hanks’ solution gradually increased with increasing Dy addition due to the intensification of galvanic corrosion . The HR Zn–3Dy alloy showed high antibacterial ability against S. aureus and cytocompatibility toward MC3T3-E1 cells among all the HR alloys. Overall, the HR Zn–3Dy alloy can be considered a promising biodegradable material for bone implants. Statement of significance This work reports on Zn–xDy (x = 1, 3, and 5%) alloys fabricated by Dy alloying followed by hot-rolling for biodegradable bone-implant applications. Our findings demonstrate that the hot-rolled (HR) Zn–3Dy alloy showed the best combined mechanical performance with an ultimate tensile strength of 270.5 MPa, a yield strength of 214.8 MPa, an elongation of 55.1%, and Brinell hardness of 75.9 HB. The corrosion and degradation rates of HR Zn–xDy alloys in Hanks’ solution gradually increased with increasing Dy addition due to the intensification of galvanic corrosion. Furthermore, the HR Zn–3Dy alloy showed greater antibacterial ability against S. aureus and the best cytocompatibility toward MC3T3-E1 cells among all the HR alloys.