Study of the effect of nitrogen addiction in DLC films deposited on ASTM F138 steel for application in bioimplant device

• Grant number: 21/06386-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2021
• End date: August 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Sgarbi Rossino
• Grantee: Karine Stefany Coan
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Tecnologia de Sorocaba (FATEC Sorocaba). Centro Paula Souza (CEETEPS). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant(s): 25/04891-4 - 26th International Symposium on Plasma Chemistry (ISPC26), AR.EXT

Abstract

DLC films have been the focus of current research due to their interesting properties such as high hardness, low friction coefficient, and chemical inertness, making them a suitable film for applications in biomaterials. However, these films have some limitations, such as low adhesion to metallic substrates, defects that can compromise corrosion resistance, and structural modification when applied at high temperatures. These properties can be improved by performing some techniques, including the doping of DLC film. Thus, the objective of this project is to study the effect of the addition of nitrogen, in different proportions, on the properties of the DLC film deposited on F138 steel, and on the material characteristics for application as a bioimplant device. The deposition of DLC film and nitrogenated film (DLCN) will be carried out by PECVD, using methane, argon, and nitrogen gas as the precursor. The formed film will be characterized by microhardness, metallography, profilometry, adhesion testing, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and contact angle. Biological tests of cytotoxicity and cell morphology will be performed on material with and without surface treatment. Thus, it will be possible to analyze whether nitrogen, incorporated into the DLC film, has an influence on the biocompatibility of the material studied, used for the production of implants in the human body. (AU)