XRD and FTIR analysis of Ti–Si–C–ON coatings for biomedical applications

Abstract

Ti-Si-C-ON films were deposited by DC reactive magnetron sputtering using different partial pressure ratio of oxygen (p O 2 ) and nitrogen (p N 2 ). Compositional analysis revealed the existence of three different growth zones for the films; (I) N/Ti = 2.1 (high atomic ratio) and low oxygen content; (II) 0.76 b N/Ti b 2.1 (intermediate atomic ratio) and (III) N/Ti ≤ 0.12 (low ratio) and high oxygen content. For high N/Ti atomic ratio (N/Ti = 2.1) the XRD pattern exhibits reflections that correspond to a mixture of two different phases: a metallic-like Ti and a fcc NaCl type structure. Its electrical resistivity presents a metallic character and, consequently, has high infrared reflectivity. For the intermediate N/Ti ratio (0.76 b N/Ti b 2.1), the films crystallize in a B1-NaCl crystal structure typical for TiC 0.2 N 0.8 . Their FTIR spectra present C-N modes, besides the TiN ones, that indicate a progressive substitution of nitrogen by carbon atoms with increasing oxygen content (and lowering N/Ti ratio). For the highest oxygen content (and lower N/Ti ratio) the presence of the Ti-O-Ti stretching mode shows the formation of highly resistive Ti-O compounds consistent with the semiconductor character of this film. Biofilm formation as well as material cytotoxicity seemed to be related with the presence of the Ti.

PVD-grown antibacterial Ag-TiN films on piezoelectric PVDF substrates for sensor applications

“…Although there are some biomaterials presenting suitable mechanical properties and low cytotoxicity, they are often prone to microbial colonization [1,2]. This colonization is frequently associated to Staphylococcus epidermidis, being one of the most common bacteria found in orthopaedics prostheses [3,4].…”

Silver activation on thin films of Ag–ZrCN coatings for antimicrobial activity

“…The use of nanocomposite protective films, based on the combination of various transition metal carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides, has already been reported [18][19][20][21][22][23]. Within these materials, zirconium carbonitride (ZrCN) start to appear as a promising material for biomedical use [24][25][26].…”

Influence of silver content on the tribomechanical behavior on Ag-TiCN bioactive coatings

“…In the last few years, the research efforts have been directed to assess the the biocompatibility of these multiphase nanocomposite materials with optimum tribological properties [5,6,[13][14][15]. We have investigated previously the deposition of TiC(O)N-based coatings by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering gaining knowledge about the synthesis conditions that yielded a good compromise between tribological and hardness properties [16,17]. In the present study the addition of variable concentrations of Ag into TiCN films is explored with the goal of maintaining a good tribological performance without cytotoxicity effects.…”