Abstract
In this paper, the surface properties and selected mechanical and biological properties of various multi-layer systems based on diamond-like carbon structure deposited on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) substrate were studied. Plasma etching and layers deposition (incl. DLC, N-DLC, Si-DLC) were carried out using the RF CVD (radio frequency chemical vapor deposition) method. In particular, polyethylene with deposited N-DLC and DLC layers in one process was characterized by a surface hardness ca. seven times (up to ca. 2.3 GPa) higher than the unmodified substrate. Additionally, its surface roughness was determined to be almost two times higher than the respective plasma-untreated polymer. It is noteworthy that plasma-modified LDPE showed no significant cytotoxicity in vitro. Thus, based on the current research results, it is concluded that a multilayer system (based on DLC coatings) obtained using plasma treatment of the LDPE surface can be proposed as a prospective solution for improving mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility.
Highlights
Polymers such as polyethylene (PE) are the most widely used materials for medical applications due to their properties [1,2].its medical application often requires a surface modification and enhancement of the surface properties
SEM and AFM techniques were used to obtain detailed information about morphological and topographical changes of polyethylene induced by plasma treatment and deposition of DLC-based coatings
On the basis of the performed experiments, it can be concluded that the modification of the low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
Summary
Polymers such as polyethylene (PE) are the most widely used materials for medical applications due to their properties (i.e., high flexibility, low density, high chemical resistance, biocompatibility) [1,2].its medical application often requires a surface modification and enhancement of the surface properties (i.e., low surface hardness). Special surface treatments must be applied to improve the physicochemical properties This can be achieved using thin layer technology, including oxygen and nitrogen plasma discharge [3], laser irradiation [4,5], deposition of anti-wear and/or functional coatings (i.e., diamond-like carbon (DLC)) [6,7,8] and immobilization of biopolymers (e.g., chitosan and its derivatives) [9,10]. Since plasma treatment results in the generation of high-energy species such as radicals, ions, or molecules in an excited electronic state, this enables surface reactions to take place and leads to surface activation and modification [11].
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