Preliminary evaluation of novel hybrid titanium dioxide modified MXene/MgAl-LDH layer coated AZ31 magnesium alloys for orthopaedic applications

MXenes, a novel class of 2D transition metal carbides and nitrides, have gained significant attention for their applications in energy storage, biomedicine, and corrosion protection. In this study, a composite coating of Ti 2 N MXene, magnesium-aluminium layered double hydroxides (MgAl-LDH), and titanium oxide was synthesized and applied to a magnesium AZ31 alloy via a hydrothermal method. Ti 2 N MXene was synthesized in-situ using NH 4 F and HCl, exfoliated into few-layered nanosheets, and combined with a separately prepared titanium oxide sol to enhance the coating’s protective properties. The structural and morphological characteristics of the coatings were analysed using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Electrochemical studies revealed a significant improvement in the corrosion resistance of the AZ31 alloy due to the MXene-MgAl-LDH layer. Furthermore, the modified coating with titanium oxide exhibited improved corrosion resistance with an electrochemical performance of E corr of -1.423 V and I corr of 2.660 × 10 -6 A/cm 2 . A detailed corrosion mechanism was proposed to elucidate the protective effects of the composite coating. This preliminary electrochemical study highlights the potential of novel modified MXene-based coatings in advancing corrosion-resistant materials for lightweight magnesium alloys.