Hydrothermal synthesis of Ag-ZrO₂/r-GO coating on CoCrMo substrate

Abstract

A simple hydrothermal method was used to synthesize silver-doped zirconia-reduced graphite oxide (Ag-ZrO₂/r-GO) composite coating on CoCrMo, an alloy commonly used in artificial hip joints. The Ag-ZrO₂/r-GO coating is mainly intended to extend the service life of artificial hip joints via a rational coating design, which consists of three components, namely, a ceramic component ZrO₂, a friction reducing component r-GO, and an antibacterial agent Ag. After hydrothermal treatment in Zr(SO₄)₂·4H₂O solution containing GO at 200 °C for 24 h, ZrO₂/r-GO coating of about 12.5 µm thick was formed on CoCrMo substrate. Ag was incorporated subsequently by soaking in AgNO₃ solution and calcination was carried out to improve the adhesion of the coating on CoCrMo substrate.