TiZrNb-based Complex Concentrated Alloys: Next-Generation Implant Materials!! Research work featured on the front cover of a prestigious journal “ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering”

Nanda Kishore Karnam

A part of doctoral research work carried out by Mr. Nanda Kishore Karnam, a PhD scholar in the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (SEST), University of Hyderabad (UoH), working under the supervision of Prof. Koteswararao V. Rajulapati, is selected to feature on the front cover of a prestigious journal, ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering, Vol. 12, Issue 6, pp. 2805–3200 (https://pubs.acs.org/toc/abseba/12/6).

The featured cover art represents a research article titled “Corrosion and Wear Properties of Low-Modulus TiZrNb-Based Complex Concentrated Alloys under Simulated Physiological Conditions”

(https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5c02181). In this work, two novel TiZrNb-based complex concentrated alloys were designed and developed for futre biomedical implant applications. The microstructure revealed a single phase BCC structure with large equiaxied grains. A high hardness of ~1.95 GPa and low elastic modulus of ~ 99–102 GPa were obtained, enhancing bone compatibility and reducing stress shielding. During electrochemical testing under simulated physiological conditions (Hanks’ solution, 37 °C), stable passivation and superior corrosion resistsance were observed. Tribological evaluations indicated controlled wear with smeared surface patches, reducing material loss and enhancing the stability.

In summary, these properties make these alloys as very promising candidates for next-generation biomedical implants, addressing persistent challenges of stress shielding, corrosion, and wear in commercial Ti-based alloys. This work was carried out with an interdisciplinary scientific collaboration with the involvement of various research groups of Prof. Koteswararao V. Rajulapati (UoH), Prof. Srikant Gollapudi (IIT-Bhubaneswar), Prof. Nitya Nand Gosvami (IIT-Delhi) and Prof. K. S. Suresh (IIT-Roorkee).

Hearty congratulations to all the authors and best wishes to their future scientific pursuits!!