Carbon coatings on polymers and their biocompatibility

In this paper we modified the surface properties of polymer foils (polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)) by flash evaporation of carbon layers (C-layers). Adhesion and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) on carbon coated PTFE and PET were studied in vitro. Chemical composition of deposited C-layers was determined by Raman spectroscopy, surface contact angle was measured by goniometry. Surface morphology of carbon coated samples was studied using atomic force microscopy. Electrical properties of deposited C-layers were determined by measuring its sheet resistance. It was found that the carbon deposition leads to a decrease of surface roughness of PTFE and PET and to a significant increase of sample wettability. Electrical resistance and wettability of deposited C-layers depends significantly on both the thickness of C-layer and the type of polymeric substrate used. It was found that maximal stimulation of the VSMC (adhesion and proliferation) on carbon coated polymers depends on the surface roughness and contact angle of cell carriers used.