In vitro investigation of hemocompatibility of hydrophilic SiNx:H films fabricated by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 200; no. 5-6; pp. 1945 - 1949
• Main Authors: WAN, G. J, YANG, P, SHI, X. J, WONG, M, ZHOU, H. F, HUANG, N, CHU, P. K
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier 21-11-2005
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Exact sciences and technology; Materials science; Metals. Metallurgy; Other topics in materials science; Physics; Production techniques; Surface treatment; Plasma; Hemocompatibility; Silicon nitride; Silicon nitride films; Coatings; Chemical vapor deposition; Surface treatment; BioMEMS; Nitrides; Vapor deposition; Hydrophilicity; Chemical deposition; Biocompatibility; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2005.08.068

SiNx:H films with different N/Si ratios were synthesized by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), aimed for BioMEMS or other biomedical applications. In vitro platelet adhesion tests were conducted to evaluate the hemocompatibility of the prepared films and the results were compared to low-temperature isotropic carbon (LTI-C) which is the most commonly used materials in commercial blood contacting biomedical devices such as artificial heart valves. Our results indicate that the SiNx:H films offer acceptable hemocompatibility compared to LTI-C and possess better characteristics. The hydrophilic property in terms of surface free energy is considered to contribute to the platelet adhesion and activation behavior. The thrombogenicity of the materials is investigated from the thermodynamic and kinetic points of view. Our results indicate that the Si-N bonds play a crucial role in determining the hydrophilic property of the film and consequently affect the blood/surface reactions and hemocompatibility of the films.