Study on superhydrophobic layered double hydroxide films on biodegradable magnesium alloy as potential materials for intravascular stents

Biodegradable magnesium alloys are promising candidates for intravascular stents due to their suitable mechanical properties and biodegradability; however, their rapid corrosion in physiological environments and limited blood compatibility hinder clinical application. Developing surface modification strategies that simultaneously improve corrosion resistance and biological performance remains a critical challenge. In this work, superhydrophobic layered double hydroxide (LDH) coatings were successfully prepared on AZ31 magnesium alloy substrates, and the corrosion resistance and biological properties in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) were investigated. The results showed that the superhydrophobic LDH coatings had good superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 165°. The excellent corrosion resistance of the superhydrophobic LDH coating in physiological environments can be attributed to the double-anticorrosion mechanism associated with the LDH coating and the superhydrophobic structure. In addition, the superhydrophobicity of the coating could increase the stability of the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy in PBS, inhibit platelet adhesion on the surface, and improve the hemocompatibility and migration rate of endothelial cells. These results suggest that the superhydrophobic LDH coating provides an effective approach for improving the corrosion resistance and biological performance of biodegradable magnesium alloys for regenerative vascular applications. The obtained superhydrophobic LDH coating is expected to be a potential vascular stent implant material.