Electrochemical performance of iron scaffolds functionalized with a PEG thin layer loaded with a silver(I)–glycine complex

Abstract This study investigates iron-based degradable biomaterials prepared by powder metallurgy and functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) coatings, with and without the incorporation of a silver(I)–glycine (AgGly) antibacterial complex. The effect of surface modification on the degradation behavior of iron was evaluated using electrochemical corrosion tests in Hank’s Balanced Salt Solution at 37 °C. The results demonstrate that PEG-based coatings significantly influence the corrosion behavior of iron, enabling modulation of its degradation rate. Compared to uncoated iron, PEG-coated samples exhibited enhanced corrosion stability, while the incorporation of the AgGly complex led to the formation of a denser, more homogeneous coating layer, resulting in altered corrosion behavior. The presence and release of AgGly from the coating were confirmed by EDX, Raman spectroscopy, and UV–Vis analysis. These findings indicate that PEG coatings provide a versatile platform for the incorporation of bioactive agents and for fine-tuning the degradation behavior of iron-based implants. Although the incorporation of AgGly reduced the degradation rate, the obtained results offer valuable insight into the interplay between coating structure, bioactivity, and corrosion performance, thereby providing a foundation for future optimization of multifunctional biodegradable iron-based implants. Graphical abstract