Diamond-like carbon films produced from high deposition rates exhibit antibacterial activity

The bactericidal activity of diamond-like carbon (DLC) films produced with high deposition rates was measured against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (E. coli). Also, the DLC structural quality, hardness and total compressive stress were evaluated by using Raman scattering spectroscopy, nanoindentation and perfilometry. Our results show DLC films produced with good quality, low internal compressive stress and high hardness even with high deposition rates. Antibacterial tests show DLC films kill about 30% of E. coli, which means it is possible to use super-hard DLC films as an antibacterial device produced in a large scale.