Objective
New nanocomposite thin films consisting of nanocrystalline diamond in an amorphous carbon matrix will be deposited by a hybrid PVD/PACVD set-up for biomedical applications. Such films will combine the extreme properties of diamond (e.g. hardness) with a very low friction coefficient, a very high toughness, and biocompatibility. Deposition will be carried out with a flexible hybrid PVD/PACVD technique (sputtering of a carbon target in an reactive environment containing hydrogen at relatively high pressures) working at low temperatures without any incompatible surface pre-treatment. Correlations between the external deposition parameter (gas composition, bias voltages, pressure etc), the internal plasma parameters (plasma density, excited species, ion energy distribution) and the basic film properties (crystal size, amorphous/crystalline fraction, Sp^3 content) will be established. Emphasis will be laid to optimise both, the crystalline and the amorphous parts of the films. The films will be optimised for applications as coatings for metal/metal articular prothesis (hip joints, knee implants), for surgical tools, and fixed orthopaedic devices. To this end, a variety of functional tests will be carried out in order to investigate the biological behaviour, the biocompatibility, and the wear resistance under implant conditions.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
RGI - Research grants (individual fellowships)Coordinator
14018 VILLA FRANCA D'ASTI
Italy