Surface Characterization and Copper Release of a-C:H:Cu Coatings for Medical Applications

Abstract

This paper focuses on the surface properties of a-C:H:Cu composite coatings for medical devices and how the release of Cu2+ ions from such coatings can be controlled. The released Cu ions have the potential to act as a bactericidal agent and inhibit bacterial colonization. A PVD–PECVD hybrid process was used to deposit a-C:H:Cu composite coatings onto Ti6Al4V substrates. We examine the layer surface properties using atomic force microscopy and static contact angle measurements. An increasing surface roughness and increasing contact angle of Ringer’s solution was measured with increasing copper mole fraction (XCu) in the coatings. The contact angle decreased when a supplementary bias voltage of −50 V was used during the a-C:H:Cu deposition. These findings are in line with earlier published results regarding these types of coatings. The release of Cu2+ ions from a-C:H:Cu coatings in Ringer’s solution was measured by anodic stripping voltammetry. Different layer structures were examined to control the time-resolved Cu release. It was found that the Cu release depends on the overall XCu in the a-C:H:Cu coatings and that an additional a-C:H barrier layer on top of the a-C:H:Cu layer effectively delays the release of Cu ions.

Development of Nano- and Micro-Coatings

“…The topics related to the nanolayers and microcoatings in this Special Issue were shown. It should be pointed out that the presented subjects are interdisciplinary and include composite coatings fabricated by vacuum deposition, Ce-hydroxyapatite coatings, and a-C:H:Cu enriched with Cu [3].…”

“…Three research articles were published in the Special Issue of Development of Nanoand Micro-Coatings. All the presented topics are multidisciplinary, and include composite layers fabricated by vacuum deposition [1], Ce-hydroxyapatite coating [2], as well as Cu-release of a-C:H:Cu in Ringer solution [3].…”

“…In reference [3], a-C:H:Cu coatings fabricated by the PVD-PECVD hybrid process and enriched with Cu 2+ ions as bactericidal agent fabricated on Ti6Al4V were shown. It was also found that the Cu 2+ ion release from a-C:H:Cu coatings in Ringer's solution depends on the overall amount of copper ions in the obtained coatings and that an additional top a-C:H barrier layer delays the release of Cu ions to solution.…”

Fabrication and Characterization of Antimicrobial Magnetron Cosputtered TiO2/Ag/Cu Composite Coatings

“…Direct contact and released silver NPs and ions killing are proposed as a basis of the bactericidal action of such coatings [23]. The development of Cu-doped TiO 2 coatings and composites also continues, and a large variety of such coatings with improved antimicrobial activity are reported in the literature [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40].…”

Optimizing the Microstructure, Mechanical, and Tribological Properties of Si-DLC Coatings on NBR Rubber for Its Potential Applications

“…As is known, incorporation of other elements (such as metal elements like W [22], Cu [23], etc. and non-metal elements like Si [24], N [25], etc.)…”