SiC_xN_yO_z Coatings Enhance Endothelialization and Bactericidal activity and Reduce Blood Cell Activation

Abstract

For biomedical applications, a number of ceramic coatings have been investigated, but the interactions with the components of living system remain unexplored for oxycarbonitride coatings. While addressing this aspect, the present study aims to provide an understanding of the biocompatibility of novel SiC x N y O z coatings that could validate the hypothesis that such coatings may not only enhance the cell–material interaction by re-endothelialization but also can help to reduce bacterial adhesion and activation of blood cells. This work reports the physicochemical properties, hemocompatibility, endothelialization, and antibacterial properties of novel amorphous SiC x N y O z coatings deposited on commercial pure titanium (Ti) by radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering at varied nitrogen (N2) flow rates. A comparison is made with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings, which are clinically used. The surface roughness, surface wettability, nanoscale hardness, and surface energy of SiC x N y O z coatings were found to be dependent on the nitrogen (N2) flow rate. Importantly, the as-deposited SiC x N y O z coatings exhibited much better nanoscale hardness and scratch resistance than DLC coatings. Furthermore, Raman spectroscopy analysis of the SiC x N y O z coating deposited on Ti showed a change in the graphitic/disordered carbon content. Cytocompatibility and hemocompatibility properties of the as-deposited SiC x N y O z coating were evaluated using the Mus musculus lymphoid endothelial cell line (SVEC4-10) and rabbit blood in vitro. WST-1 assay analysis showed that these coatings, when compared to DLC, exhibited a better proliferation of endothelial cells, which can potentially result in improved surface endothelialization. Furthermore, qualitative and quantitative analyses of immunofluorescence images revealed a dense cellular layer of SVEC4-10 on SiC x N y O z coatings, deposited at 15 and 30 sccm nitrogen flow rates. As far as compatibility with rabbit blood is concerned, the hemolysis of the SiC x N y O z coatings was less than 4%, with slightly lower values for coatings deposited without N2 flow. The SiC x N y O z coatings support less platelet adhesion and aggregation, with no signature of morphological deformation, as compared to the uncoated titanium substrate or DLC coatings. Furthermore, SiC x N y O z coatings were also found to be effectively extending the blood coagulation time for a period of 60 min. The antimicrobial study of as-deposited SiC x N y O z coatings on E. coli and S. aureus bacteria revealed the effective inhibition of bacterial proliferation after 24 h of culture. An attempt has been made to explain the cyto- and hemocompatibility properties with antimicrobial efficacy of coatings in terms of the variation in the coating composition and surface energy. Taken together, we conclude that SiC1.3N0.76O0.87 coating having a roughness of 17 nm and a surface free energy of 54.0 ± 0.7 mN/m can exhibit the best combination of hardness, elastic modulus, scratch resistance, cytocompatibility...

Beyond surface nanoindentation: Combining static and dynamic nanoindentation to assess intrinsic mechanical properties of chemical vapor deposition amorphous silicon oxide (SiOx) and silicon oxycarbide (SiOxCy) thin films

“…Only the models with the lowest number of fitting parameters could find consistent values of Ef (Bec and Song-Pharr models) and Hf (Korsunsky model), proving a robustness superior to models with a higher degree of latitude, which is in good agreement with the literature [18]. As an indication of reliability and robustness, these three models have been shown in recent articles [38][39][40] to characterize efficiently various systems, including coated systems with films of thicknesses similar to the TEOS and HMDS films of the present work.…”

All‐In‐One Biomimetic Nanoplatform Based on Hollow Polydopamine Nanoparticles for Synergistically Enhanced Radiotherapy of Colon Cancer

“…criteria (Figure S11, Supporting Information). [57] Encouraged by the results of homotypic targeting in vitro, the self-targeting ability toward homologous tumors of Pt@HP@M in vivo was estimated. A noninvasive near-infrared optical imaging technique was performed to examine the biodistribution of DiR-labeled Pt@HP@M (Figure 6A).…”

Hemocompatibility and Preangiogenic Attributes of SiBxCyNzOm Coatings for Biomedical Applications

“…SiB x C y N z O m films were deposited using the reactive RF magnetron sputtering technique. The deposition system was described elsewhere. , In this study, the Si 2 BC 2 N target sintered using SiC and BN powders was used for film deposition. The Si 2 BC 2 N target was used for the first time to fabricate SiB x C y N z O m films.…”

“…8 Our recent work reported the development of SiC x N y O z coatings with much better nanoscale hardness and scratch resistance than the DLC coatings and cytocompatibility with Mus musculus lymphoid endothelial cells and hemocompatibility with rabbit blood. 9 Although ceramic coatings hold a great potential for cardiovascular and other biomedical applications, fewer studies explored the coculture models of multiple cell types on bioceramic coatings. Moura et al investigated human patientderived osteogenic and peripheral blood mononuclear cell cocultures on modified titanium surfaces.…”

“…In a study with several ceramics, Parlak et al identified that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) can adhere and proliferate better on hemocompatible silicon carbide ceramics . Our recent work reported the development of SiC x N y O z coatings with much better nanoscale hardness and scratch resistance than the DLC coatings and cytocompatibility with Mus musculus lymphoid endothelial cells and hemocompatibility with rabbit blood …”