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

Abstract

Carbon nitride (CN x ) and diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings were prepared by dc magnetron sputtering at room temperature. Different partial pressures of N 2 were used to synthesize CN x 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 CN x coatings were smooth. An in vitro study of the hemocompatibility of the coatings revealed that both CN x coatings had better anticoagulant properties and lower platelet adhesion than DLC.