Role of bovine serum albumin in the degradation of zirconia and its allotropes coated 316L SS for potential bioimplants

Surface engineered materials are presently used in dental, orthopedic and cardiovascular applications made of titanium, cobalt-chromium, stainless steel alloys, etc. In this perspective, different phases of zirconia (ZrO2; henceforth ZrO2 allotropes) coatings (m-ZrO2, t-ZrO2 and c-ZrO2) were developed by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) technique. ZrO2 allotropes obtained a smooth surface with a drastic reduction of human pathogenic bacterial adhesion. t-ZrO2 coating evolved higher surface hardness followed by c-ZrO2 and m-ZrO2 coatings. ZrO2 allotropes showed higher blood plasma protein adherence using a whole blood test. Whilst, the role of proteins in the degradation of ZrO2 allotrope coatings was examined in detail by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in the presence and absence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in artificial blood plasma (ABP) solution. •m-ZrO2 coating showed better antimicrobial activity than t-ZrO2 and c-ZrO2 coatings.•Higher serum albumin protein adsorption found in m-ZrO2 coating.•t-ZrO2 and c-ZrO2 coatings evolved better mechanical and corrosion resistance properties.•t-ZrO2 and c-ZrO2 coatings may applicable for load bearing applications.•m-ZrO2 coating may perform better in cranial implant surfaces, pins and plates.