Abstract:In recent years, the application of biodegradable implant materials has a fast development. Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have become a new generation of biodegradable metal materials with broad prospects due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the contradiction between the antibacterial properties, resulted from the releasing of Mg²⁺ ions and the alkalization of the surrounding environment in the process of rapid corrosion, and the long-term mechanical properties as the bone implants needs to be resolved urgently. This paper summarized the research progress of various metals and its oxides, biologically active substances, natural antibacterial substances and photothermal and photodynamic therapy on antibacterial Mg alloys and antibacterial coatings on the surface of Mg alloys. The preparation methods of various corrosion-resistant and antibacterial coatings on the surface of Mg alloys were studied, and the influence of different antibacterial carriers on the corrosion resistance and antibacterial activity of Mg alloys was discussed. The results show that the evolution of antibacterial Mg alloys and antibacterial coatings on the surface of Mg alloys are gradually matured, but there still are some problems need to be solved. Finally, the way forward of the antibacterial coating on the surface of biomedical degradable Mg alloys is elaborated.

Key words: magnesium alloys; antibacterial property; coating; biomaterials