Diamond-like carbon coatings are attractive for a variety of biological and biomedical applications due to their exceptional mechanical and biological properties. In this study, the chemical properties, surface topography, coating adhesion, and cytotoxicity of diamond-like carbon coatings on fused silica with and without argon or oxygen plasma treatments were assessed. Diamond-like carbon coatings were deposited on fused silica substrates using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that both argon and oxygen plasma treatments caused the dissociation of sp^2 and sp^3 bonds, the formation of C-OH bonds, and an increase of oxygen content in the coatings. An increase in hydrophilicity versus the unmodified coating was also observed. Atomic force microscopy and profilometry showed that plasma treatment increased the thickness and the roughness of the coatings. Micro scratch adhesion testing revealed that the plasma treatments reduced adhesion of the coatings to fused silica where chipping (spallation) was the only observed mode of failure; this reduction in coating adhesion was greater for coatings with the argon plasma treatment versus coatings with the oxygen plasma treatment. Diamond-like carbon coatings on borosilicate glass and coatings post-processed with argon or oxygen plasmas did not increase cytotoxicity versus the uncoated borosilicate glass control. The results of this study indicate that plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, with or without post-processing plasma treatment, produces diamond-like carbon coatings with appropriate structural and biological properties for biomedical applications.

Characterization of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition diamond-like carbon coatings on fused silica with and without argon or oxygen plasma treatment

ACS Fall 2020 Virtual Meeting

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