Electrophoretic deposition of chitosan-based coatings on magnesium alloys for implant applications: a review

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are highly promising materials for biomedical applications due to their excellent mechanical properties and biocompatibility. However, their rapid corrosion in physiological environments remains a significant barrier to their use in implantable devices. Surface modification techniques, particularly chitosan (CS)-based coatings, have shown considerable potential in addressing these challenges. CS, as a biopolymer, not only reduces the corrosion rate of Mg alloys but also enhances their biological performance. Electrophoretic deposition (EPD) is a highly versatile technique that enables the uniform deposition of CS and CS-composite coatings on Mg alloys. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of depositing CS and CS-composite coatings on Mg alloys, using the EPD technique. The influence of this process on the mechanical, adhesive, and protective properties of the Mg-based substrate is assessed. While EPD deposited CS coatings demonstrate significant potential in mitigating Mg alloy corrosion, challenges such as mechanical robustness and long-term stability persist. This review emphasizes the need for further research to optimize deposition processes and improve the durability of CS coatings, paving the way for their successful implementation in clinical applications.