HePULSE · High-Performance Biocompatible Ag-DLC Coatings - Precise and Localized Silver Doping Through Novel Helium Pulse Injections

High-Performance Biocompatible Ag-DLC Coatings - Precise and Localized Silver Doping Through Novel Helium Pulse Injections

Silver-doped DLC coatings (Ag-DLC) are gaining interest in the biomedical sector, particularly for medical implants as they boost biocompatibility, antimicrobial levels, resistance against biofouling, hemocompatibility, and growth inhibition of unwanted biological organisms. The addition of Ag to a DLC matrix reduces the intrinsic residual stresses of the DLC matrix and promotes toughness for better mechanical performance. A typically made Ag/DLC exhibits Ag nanoparticles embedded throughout the DLC matrix. The excess of Ag may pose cytotoxic effects to the human body and Ag-enriched DLC coating also loses mechanical performance due to increased ductility. The problem is important to society in terms of individuals’ health, healthcare costs, and environmental concerns. The excess of Ag leached into the human body may increase cytotoxicity risks for an individual’s health. The compromised mechanical performance shortens the implant life. Revision surgery not only puts a financial burden on the medical system but also may not be suitable for every individual in the context of clinical conditions, especially focused groups like elderly people. The revision surgeries also increase environmental challenges as the cost and resources of medical waste management increase for safe handling and disposal of retired implants. We have identified that Ag is essential for the early post-surgery phase, thus it would be highly beneficial to develop a coating where Ag is only doped ‘as required’, providing maximum biological performance without reducing DLC strength. Selective Ag doping in a DLC matrix is challenging through established physical vapour deposition techniques. Hence, the overall objective is to develop a novel DLC coating with precise and localized doping of Ag nanoparticles simultaneously doped in a one-step process using the sputtering method. The mechanical and biocompatibility performance of the new coating design is to be validated against typically made Ag/DLC coatings. Other objectives include the professional development of the individual fellow to transform him into an expert and future leader of high-performance surface coatings by receiving professional trainings and qualifications in the subject area. The HePULSE project has successfully developed a new Ag/DLC as depicted in the image section, which is 63% harder, 21% more biocompatible, and uses a small amount of silver as low as 2 at.% when compared to typically deposited 17 at.% Ag/DLC coatings. The individual fellow received professional trainings, particularly from Advanced HE, UK and FOSTER, EU, attended the academic events and exhibitions on a subject area and achieved the teaching qualification as Fellow of Higher Education Academy, UK before securing a permanent role as a faculty member of a prestigious university in UK.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union