title: In Vitro Biocompatibility of Si Alloyed Multi-Principal Element Carbide Coatings.
abstract: In the current study, we have examined the possibility to improve the biocompatibility of the (TiZrNbTaHf)C through replacement of either Ti or Ta by Si. The coatings were deposited on Si and 316L stainless steel substrates by magnetron sputtering in an Ar+CH4 mixed atmosphere and were examined for elemental composition, chemical bonds, surface topography, surface electrical charge and biocompatible characteristics. The net surface charge was evaluated at nano and macroscopic scale by measuring the electrical potential and work function, respectively. The biocompatible tests comprised determination of cell viability and cell attachment to the coated surface. The deposited coatings had C/(metal+Si) ratios close to unity, while a mixture of metallic carbide, free-carbon and oxidized species formed on the film surface. The coatings' surfaces were smooth and no influence of surface roughness on electrical charge or biocompatibility was found. The biocompatible characteristics correlated well with the electrical potential/work function, suggesting a significant role of surface charge in improving biocompatibility, particularly cell attachment to coating's surface. Replacement of either Ti or Ta by Si in the (TiZrNbTaHf)C coating led to an enhanced surface electrical charge, as well as to superior biocompatible properties, with best results for the (TiZrNbSiHf)C coating.
authors: National Institute for Optoelectronics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Alina
authors: A
authors: Vladescu
authors: Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Irina
authors: I
authors: Titorencu
authors: Riga Technical University, 1Kalkustr, Rīga, Latvia.
authors: Yuri
authors: Y
authors: Dekhtyar
authors: Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Jinga
authors: Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology "Nicolae Simionescu" of the Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Vasile
authors: V
authors: Pruna
authors: National Institute for Optoelectronics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Mihai
authors: M
authors: Balaceanu
authors: National Institute for Optoelectronics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Mihaela
authors: M
authors: Dinu
authors: National Institute for Optoelectronics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.|Faculty of Physics, Bucharest University, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Iulian
authors: I
authors: Pana
authors: Riga Technical University, 1Kalkustr, Rīga, Latvia.
authors: Viktorija
authors: V
authors: Vendina
authors: National Institute for Optoelectronics, Magurele-Bucharest, Romania.
authors: Mariana
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2543-5866
authors: M
authors: Braic
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013635:Tantalum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D014025:Titanium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D013635:Tantalum; D014025:Titanium; D012825:Silicon