Influence of electrochemical polishing on the degradation behavior of magnesium‐based porous scaffolds: experimental and first‐principles calculations

Abstract An ideal porous scaffold for bone tissue engineering should exhibit a degradation rate that matches the regeneration rate of the host tissue, thereby facilitating complete tissue replacement. Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have emerged as promising biomaterials due to their excellent biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties. However, conventional manufacturing techniques often fail to eliminate microscopic structural defects within the scaffold's pores, which can accelerate degradation and hinder clinical applications. In this study, electrochemical polishing (EP) was employed to optimize the surface of porous scaffolds by effectively eliminating surface defects. After immersion in Hanks' solution for 7 days, the degradation rate of the EP‐treated scaffolds was reduced by 62.5%. To better simulate the influence of proteins on scaffold degradation, bovine serum albumin was added to the Hanks’ solution. Under this simulated physiological environment, EP treatment led to a 41.7% reduction in the degradation rate. Furthermore, in vivo implantation experiments, EP treatment resulted in an 83.1% decrease in the degradation rate of the porous scaffolds. The optimal EP parameters were first determined, followed by a systematic investigation of the degradation behavior of both untreated and EP‐treated porous scaffolds through experimental analysis and first‐principles calculations. The findings provide new insights into the degradation regulation of Mg‐based porous scaffolds and establish a solid scientific foundation for their future applications in bone tissue engineering.