Diamond like carbon films as a protective surface on PMMA for biomedical applications

Diamond like carbon films are deposited on PMMA using the Radio Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition technique with the variation of RF power at a constant pressure of 5 × 10−2 mbar. Acetylene diluted with argon is used as a precursor for the deposition of DLC films. Deposited films are characterized using Raman, FTIR, optical contact angle technique and AFM. Optical contact angle is measured with water and blood of mice. It has been found that DLC coated PMMA is more hydrophobic compared to an uncoated surface. Samples are soaked with simulated body fluid for 30 days for the assessment of biocompatibility. Surface morphology of the samples before and after interaction with simulated body fluid has been studied by using AFM. The haemolysis test has also been carried out for the haemocompatibility assessment.