Evaluation of in vitro corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of poly[xylitol‐(1,12‐dodecanedioate)](PXDD)‐HA coated porous iron for bone scaffolds applications

The present study evaluates the corrosion behavior of poly[xylitol‐(1,12‐dodecanedioate)](PXDD)‐HA coated porous iron (PXDD140/HA‐Fe) and its cell‐material interaction aimed for temporary bone scaffold applications. The physicochemical analyses show that the addition of 20 wt.% HA into the PXDD polymers leads to a higher crystallinity and lower surface roughness. The corrosion assessments of the PXDD140/HA‐Fe evaluated by electrochemical methods and surface chemistry analysis indicate that HA decelerates Fe corrosion due to a lower hydrolysis rate following lower PXDD content and being more crystalline. The cell viability and cell death mode evaluations of the PXDD140/HA‐Fe exhibit favorable biocompatibility as compared to bare Fe and PXDD‐Fe scaffolds owing to HA's bioactive properties. Thus, the PXDD140/HA‐Fe scaffolds possess the potential to be used as a biodegradable bone implant. Graphical and Lay Summary Iron (Fe)‐based materials have been intensively studied for potential biodegradable implants due to their high mechanical strengths and degradability in physiological environments. However, its low biocompatibility and too‐slow corrosion kinetics could hamper its potential as temporary bone implants as an ideal implant should exhibit favourable biocompatibility and a congruent corrosion rate that matches the bone healing period. In the present study, a plant‐derived thermoset, poly[xylitol‐(1,12‐dodecanedioate)](PXDD), was combined with bioactive hydroxyapatite (HA) and then coated on porous Fe scaffolds to mainly enhance Fe's biocompatibility and alter its corrosion kinetics.