Biodegradable and Biobased Metallic Materials: Design, Processing, Applications

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue entitled “Biodegradable and Biobased Metallic Materials: Design, Processing, Applications”

Biodegradable metallic materials have emerged as one of the most promising frontiers in biomaterials science, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional permanent implants. Among these, magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) alloys stand out for their unique combination of biocompatibility, biofunctionality, and controlled degradability, which allows their gradual resorption in the human body after fulfilling their temporary mechanical function. This characteristic significantly reduces clinical complications and eliminates the need for secondary surgeries to remove implants, contributing to faster recovery and improved patient outcomes.

Aim and Scope

This Special Issue aims to gather recent advances in the design, processing, and application of next-generation biodegradable and biobased metallic materials, particularly focusing on Mg- and Zn-based systems. The issue will cover topics ranging from alloy development and fabrication techniques—including melt casting, powder metallurgy, severe plastic deformation, and additive manufacturing—to studies addressing microstructural control, morphology, corrosion behavior, and surface modification strategies such as micro-arc oxidation, sol–gel coatings, and biofunctionalization with calcium phosphates, polymers, or bioactive molecules.

Furthermore, special attention will be given to bio-based alloying elements and environmentally friendly processing routes, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and circular approaches in materials science. This Special Issue is fully aligned with the journal’s scope, bridging materials engineering, surface science, and biomedical applications to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

Topics of Interest

Original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Design and development of Mg- and Zn-based biodegradable alloys
• Processing routes and microstructure–property relationships
• Morphological control and degradation mechanisms
• Surface coatings, functionalization, and corrosion protection
• Bioactivity, cytocompatibility, and in vitro/in vivo performance
• Eco-friendly and bio-based alloying or processing methods
• Applications in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and tissue engineering devices

We look forward to receiving your valuable contributions to this Special Issue and to advancing the field of biobased and biodegradable metals for next-generation biomedical and sustainable applications.

Dr. Pedro Akira Bazaglia Kuroda
Dr. Mariana Correa Rossi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.