Biosensors and Nanotheranostics
Bionanotechnology, Drug Delivery, Therapeutics | online ISSN 3064-7789
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RESEARCH ARTICLE   (Open Access)
Contents Vol 3 (1)

Biocompatible Nanomaterial TiN, ZrN and TiAlN Thinfilms Coating on Surgical Tools by Cathodic Arc Deposition

Saba Zafar 1*

+ Author Affiliations

Biosensors and Nanotheranostics 3 (1) 1-10 https://doi.org/10.25163/biosensors.317336

Submitted: 08 November 2023 Revised: 16 January 2024  Published: 19 January 2024 

Abstract

Background: Thin film coating is a widely employed process across industries such as electronics, optics, solar energy, and aerospace to enhance surface properties or improve performance. The process can be carried out using various methods, including physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Cathodic arc deposition, a PVD technique, is notable for its ability to produce thin films of materials like titanium nitride (TiN), zirconium nitride (ZrN), and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN), which are valued for their hardness, wear resistance, and biocompatibility, making them suitable for coating surgical tools. Methods: This study utilized cathodic arc deposition to produce TiN, ZrN, and TiAlN thin films on 316 stainless steel substrates. In the cathodic arc deposition process, a high-voltage electrical discharge is generated between a cathode target material and an anode within a vacuum chamber. This discharge vaporizes the target material, creating a plasma that condenses onto the substrate, forming a thin film. The hardness of the materials and Raman spectroscopy were used to characterize and compare the three thin films. Raman spectroscopy was employed to gather information on molecular bonding, crystal structure, and chemical composition. Results: The characterization revealed that both ZrN and TiN thin films demonstrated superior hardness, which contributes to good adhesion, wear resistance, and biocompatible properties essential for coating surgical tools. The Raman spectroscopy results provided detailed insights into the molecular bonding, crystal structures, and chemical compositions of the films. The ZrN and TiN films were found to be particularly suitable for depositing colored thin films on surgical tools due to their high hardness. Conclusion: The study confirms that TiN and ZrN thin films produced via cathodic arc deposition are highly suitable for coating surgical tools, owing to their excellent hardness, adhesion, wear resistance, and biocompatibility. These properties make them ideal for applications where durability and biocompatibility are critical. Further research is required to explore various decorative color coatings on surgical tools that maintain biocompatibility, enhancing both the functional and aesthetic aspects of these tools.

Keywords: Thin film technology, Surface modifications, Titanium nitride (TiN), Surgical tools, Cathodic arc deposition, Coating

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