Magnetron Sputtered Non‐Toxic and Precious Element‐Free TiZrGe Metallic Glass Nanofilms with Enhanced Biocorrosion Resistance

Abstract The chemical composition and structural state of advanced alloys are the decisive factors in optimum biomedical performance. This contribution presents unique TiZrGe metallic glass thin‐film compositions fabricated by magnetron sputter deposition targeted for nanocoatings for biofouling prevention. The amorphous nanofilms with nanoscale roughness exhibit a large relaxation and supercooled liquid regions as revealed by flash differential scanning calorimetry. Ti 68 Zr 8 Ge 24 shows the lowest corrosion (0.17 µA cm −2 ) and passivation (1.22 µA cm −2 ) current densities, with the lowest corrosion potential of −0.648 V and long‐range stability against pitting, corroborating its excellent performance in phosphate buffer solution at 37 °C. The oxide layer is comprised of TiO 2 , TiO x and ZrO x , as determined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy by short‐term ion‐etching of the surface layer. The two orders of magnitude increase in the oxide and interface resistance (from 14 to 1257 Ω cm 2 ) along with an order of magnitude decrease in the capacitance parameter of the oxide interface (from 1.402 × 10 −5 to 1.677 × 10 −6 S s n cm −2 ) of the same composition is linked to the formation of carbonyl groups and reduction of the native oxide layer during linear sweep voltammetry.