In Vitro Biocompatibility of Si Alloyed Multi-Principal Element Carbide Coatings

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 11; no. 8; p. e0161151
• Main Authors: Vladescu, Alina, Titorencu, Irina, Dekhtyar, Yuri, Jinga, Victor, Pruna, Vasile, Balaceanu, Mihai, Dinu, Mihaela, Pana, Iulian, Vendina, Viktorija, Braic, Mariana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 29.08.2016; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Alloying elements; Alloys; Alloys - adverse effects; Alloys - chemistry; Austenitic stainless steels; Biocompatibility; Biology and Life Sciences; Biomedical materials; Cell adhesion; Cell surface; Cellular biology; Chemical bonds; Chemical composition; Chemical properties; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - adverse effects; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - chemistry; Coatings; Composite materials; Corrosion resistance; Electric charge; Electric potential; Engineering and Technology; Hydroxyapatite; Magnetron sputtering; Materials Testing; Medicine and Health Sciences; Pathology; Physical Sciences; Physiological aspects; Research and Analysis Methods; Silicon - chemistry; Silicon carbide; Silicon steels; Silicon substrates; Stainless steel; Substrates; Surface charge; Surface Properties; Surface roughness; Tantalum; Tantalum - adverse effects; Tantalum - chemistry; Titanium; Titanium - adverse effects; Titanium - chemistry; Transplants & implants; X-Ray Diffraction; Romania; Latvia
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0161151

In the current study, we have examined the possibility to improve the biocompatibility of the (TiZrNbTaHf)C through replacement of either Ti or Ta by Si. The coatings were deposited on Si and 316L stainless steel substrates by magnetron sputtering in an Ar+CH4 mixed atmosphere and were examined for elemental composition, chemical bonds, surface topography, surface electrical charge and biocompatible characteristics. The net surface charge was evaluated at nano and macroscopic scale by measuring the electrical potential and work function, respectively. The biocompatible tests comprised determination of cell viability and cell attachment to the coated surface. The deposited coatings had C/(metal+Si) ratios close to unity, while a mixture of metallic carbide, free-carbon and oxidized species formed on the film surface. The coatings' surfaces were smooth and no influence of surface roughness on electrical charge or biocompatibility was found. The biocompatible characteristics correlated well with the electrical potential/work function, suggesting a significant role of surface charge in improving biocompatibility, particularly cell attachment to coating's surface. Replacement of either Ti or Ta by Si in the (TiZrNbTaHf)C coating led to an enhanced surface electrical charge, as well as to superior biocompatible properties, with best results for the (TiZrNbSiHf)C coating.