In vitro comparison of the hemocompatibility of diamond-like carbon and carbon nitride coatings with different atomic percentages of N

Abstract

Carbon nitride (CNx) and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Different partial pressures of N2 were used to synthesize CNx to evaluate the relationship between the atomic percentage of nitrogen and hemocompatibility. Auger electron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy indicated atomic percentages of N of 0.12 and 0.22 and that the CNx coatings were smooth. An in vitro study of the hemocompatibility of the coatings revealed that both CNx coatings had better anticoagulant properties and lower platelet adhesion than DLC. Compared with CN0.12, the CN0.22 coating showed longer dynamic clotting time (about 42 min), static clotting time (23.6 min) and recalcification time (45.6 s), as well as lower platelet adhesion (102 cells μm-2), aggregation, and activation. The presence of nitrogen in the CNx coatings induced their enhanced hemocompatibility compared with DLC. © 2012 The Author(s).