Diamond-like Carbon Coatings in the Biomedical Field: Properties, Applications and Future Development

Abstract

Repairment and replacement of organs and tissues are part of the history of struggle against human diseases, in addition to the research and development (R&D) of drugs. Acquisition and processing of specific substances and physiological signals are very important to understand the effects of pathology and treatment. These depend on the available biomedical materials. The family of diamond-like carbon coatings (DLCs) has been extensively applied in many industrial fields. DLCs have also been demonstrated to be biocompatible, both in vivo and in vitro. In many cases, the performance of biomedical devices can be effectively enhanced by coating them with DLCs, such as vascular stents, prosthetic heart valves and surgical instruments. However, the feasibility of the application of DLC in biomedicine remains under discussion. This review introduces the current state of research and application of DLCs in biomedical devices, their potential application in biosensors and urgent problems to be solved. It will be useful to build a bridge between DLC R&D workers and biomedical workers in order to develop high-performance DLC films/coatings, promote their practical use and develop their potential applications in the biomedical field.

Pressure effect on bonding of advanced carbon-based coatings under high temperature

“…Deposition of good quality DLC is governed by energy per unit carbon atom or ion and plasma kinetics, which are independent parameters. In many cases, the performance of biomedical devices can be effectively enhanced by coating them with DLCs, such as vascular stents, prosthetic heart valves and surgical instruments [4]. By drawing the running conditions fretting map and analysing the tangential stiffness, friction coefficient and dissipation energy: with increasing the sp 2 /sp 3 hybrid carbon content of DLC film, the fretting regime moves towards the slip regime, while the friction coefficient and dissipated energy will increase [5].…”

Surface morphology change in DLC: H coatings with gradient Cr under high temperature and high pressure

“…DLC coatings have been applied in industrial fields and demonstrated to be biocompatible [1]. Its properties are optimized to identify the best parameters [2].…”

Pulsed DC sputter deposited hydrogenated carbon: an alternative durable infrared optical thin film material

“…Coupled with the ability to deposit conformal coatings on various substrates, enables the fabrication of compact and portable IR sensors with reduced form factors and known protection and thermal management benefits [8]. This makes hydrogenated carbon thin films ideal for emerging applications such as wearable electronics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and Internet of Things (IoT) devices [9][10][11].…”