Overview on the Antimicrobial Activity and Biocompatibility of Sputtered Carbon-Based Coatings

Abstract

Due to their outstanding properties, carbon-based structures have received much attention from the scientific community. Their applications are diverse and include use in coatings on self-lubricating systems for anti-wear situations, thin films deposited on prosthetic elements, catalysis structures, or water remediation devices. From these applications, the ones that require the most careful testing and improvement are biomedical applications. The biocompatibility and antibacterial issues of medical devices remain a concern, as several prostheses still fail after several years of implantation and biofilm formation remains a real risk to the success of a device. Sputtered deposition prevents the introduction of hazardous chemical elements during the preparation of coatings, and this technique is environmentally friendly. In addition, the mechanical properties of C-based coatings are remarkable. In this paper, the latest advances in sputtering methods and biocompatibility and antibacterial action for diamond-based carbon (DLC)-based coatings are reviewed and the greater outlook is then discussed.

Research progress of metal biomaterials with potential applications as cardiovascular stents and their surface treatment methods to improve biocompatibility

“…Diamond-like carbon (DLC) provides high biocompatibility and biocidal reaction, and has become a suitable approach in orthopedics, cardiovascular, and dental applications. DLC coatings have high hardness, good insulation, wear resistance, chemical stability, and biocompatibility [ 134 ]. Hang et al [ 135 ] fabricated DLC coatings on NiTi alloys using arc-enhanced magnetron sputtering.…”

Carbon-Based Coatings in Medical Textiles Surface Functionalisation: An Overview

“…In relation to the combination of DLC and Ag, there are several studies that show that silver-doped DLC (AgDLC) coatings have an excellent antimicrobial effect [13,79,97,[99][100][101][102][103][104].…”

Amorphous Carbon Films with Embedded Well-Dispersed Nanodiamonds: Plasmon-Enhanced Analysis and Possible Antimicrobial Applications

“…As fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) has been successfully applied for the study of NDs [16,17], the analysis of the structures capable of ND luminescence-based sensing is of particular interest. As for the a-C:ND films, the variability of carbon matrix properties also gives rise to the study of various applications of such structures [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27], particularly, as reinforcement coatings [20][21][22][23].…”

“…Being biocompatible with animal cells and tissues, a-C and ND-based films show activity against some bacteria and other microorganisms; therefore, such structures may become a basis of novel coatings for medical devices, implants, etc. [26,27]. Therefore, synthesizing all-carbon hybrid material with preset properties (structure, ordering, presence of surface functional groups, color centers, etc.)…”