Impact of surface electric properties of carbon-based thin films on platelets activation for nano-medical and nano-sensing applications

Abstract

Electric surface properties of biomaterials, playing key role to various biointerfacial interactions, were related to hemocompatibility and biosensing phenomena. In this study, the examination of surface electric properties of amorphous hydrogenated carbon thin fi lms (a-C:H) was carried out by means of electrostatic force microscope (EFM) and observation of differences in spatial charge distribution on the surface of the examined fi lms during platelets adhesion was made. The thrombogenic potential of a-C:H thin fi lms developed by magnetron sputtering with ∼42% sp 3 content and hydrogen partial pressure during deposition was evaluated,by in situ observation with atomic force microscope (AFM) of platelets' activation and their subsequent adhesion. Platelet-rich plasma drawn from healthy donors was used and semi-contact mode of AFM was applied. Platelets behavior and their correlation with the electric surface properties of the examined a-C:H fi lms by EFM was made for hemocompatibility enhancement and sensing platelets that are less electrical negatively charged and with higher tendency to aggregate and form thrombus. The results are discussed in view of the effect of different deposition conditions of hydrogenated carbon fi lms on their structural and morphological characteristics, surface roughness and electrical properties attributing to different hemocompatibility and sensing aspects.

Characterization of drug delivery vehicles using atomic force microscopy: current status

“…Whilst AFM has been used to image platelets on carbon nanocoatings [85], and show morphological alterations of platelets on nanomaterials [86], functionalisation of AFM tips with proteins for thrombosis elucidation has not yet been realised. Individual receptors have been identified, however, using force-mapping with AFM tips functionalised with antibodies [87].…”

Obstacles in Haemocompatibility Testing

“…Negatively charged surfaces do repel blood cells which are also negatively charged. By their negative charge amorphous hydrogenated carbon or silicon-carbide film provide a thromboresistant surface [ 161 , 162 ].…”

Microstructural and corrosion resistance characterisation of NiTi shape memory alloy modified at low-temperature plasma with carbon coatings produced via RFCVD and IBAD methods

“…However, the presence of nitrogen causes a slight decrease in corrosion resistance and inhibits the rapid growth of the carbon coating [8,9]. Owing to their properties, carbon coatings are also used to modify the surface of NiTi shape memory alloys to make them suitable for medical applications [10][11][12].…”