Corrosion resistance and antimicrobial properties of ZnO-Ce2O3 coatings by magnetron sputtering

The ZnO-Ce2O3 composite coating developed in this study significantly enhances the medical applicability of 316L stainless steel by synergistically improving corrosion resistance and antibacterial performance. Through magnetron sputtering, the ZnO-Ce2O3 composite coating reduces the corrosion current density of 316L stainless steel by an order of magnitude (from 2.935 × 10−7 to 1.278 × 10−8 A/cm2), outperforming individual ZnO or CeO2 coatings. Biological experiments demonstrated that the composite coating achieved over 98% antibacterial efficiency against Staphylococcus aureus while exhibiting low cytotoxicity toward mesenchymal stem cells, thereby addressing critical limitations of traditional stainless steel in medical devices. Additionally, the increased water contact angle (from 80° to 114°) correlated with inhibited bacterial adhesion, suggesting a dual antibacterial mechanism. This multifunctional coating strategy offers a promising solution for improving implant safety and patient outcomes.