Progress in the study of micro-arc oxidation film layers on biomedical metal surfaces

Abstract Magnesium, titanium, and their alloys are considered very promising in bio-materials. However, their poor antimicrobial and corrosion resistance in physiological environments dramatically limits their application in practical situations. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technology has attracted much attention due to its low cost and convenient operation. Based on this, this paper summarizes and rationalizes key findings from the last 15 years of the current research status of MAO surface technology of magnesium and titanium alloys in the biomedical field. It analyzes the research work of doping functional elements into micro-arc oxidized ceramic membranes, preparing composite coatings by deposition and sol-gel technology, and changing the time of MAO, electrolyte, and electrical parameters to improve the antimicrobial and corrosion–resistant performance of the membrane layer. Moreover, this paper reveals the characteristics and principles of antimicrobial and corrosion resistance of MAO ceramic layers and expands the application of MAO magnesium and titanium alloys in bio-medicine. Finally, this paper summarizes the problems and shortcomings of the MAO technology that still need to be solved. It also looks forward to future research on the direction of MAO technology, which provides a theoretical basis for further application bio-medicine.