Electrochemical study of Mg-Nb alloy films in Hank’s solution

Nanocrystalline Mg-Nb alloy films were sputter-deposited on glass substrates in a wide range of Nb concentrations. XRD studies revealed substitutional solid solutions of Nb in hcp Mg lattice when Nb concentrations were up to 26 at.%. At higher Nb concentrations, a bcc structure of Nb lattice was determined. An increase in Nb concentration led to contraction of the lattice as well as refining of the alloy, which was evident from reduced crystallographic c-parameter along with the grain size. Voltammetric studies in Hank’s solution showed that corrosion rate of the alloys decreased with Nb concentration. This was due to reduction of the active electrode area with preferential inhibition of partial anodic reaction. Application of the studied systems as biodegradable materials in vivo is discussed.