Multifunctional biocompatible nanostructured coatings for load-bearing implants D.V. Shtansky a, ⁎ , N.A. Gloushankova b , I.A. Bashkova a , M.I. Petrzhik a , A.N. Sheveiko a , F.V. Kiryukhantsev-Korneev a , I.V. Reshetov c , A.S. Grigoryan d , E.A. Levashov a a Moscow State Institute of Steel and Alloys (Technological University), Russia b Cancer Research Center of RAMS, Moscow, Russia c P.A. Hertsen Moscow Research Oncological Institute, Russia d Central Research Dental Institute, Moscow, Russia Available online 12 September 2006 Abstract To take advantage of the self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) technique, magnetron sputtering (MS), and ion implantation assisted magnetron sputtering (IIAMS), a new type of biocompatible nanostructured film was developed and studied. Films of Ti–Ca–C–O–(N), Ti–Ca–P–C– O–(N), Ti–Si–Zr–O–(N), and Ti–Zr–C–O–(N) were deposited by DC MS or IIAMS of SHS composite targets TiC 0.5 +CaO, TiC 0.5 + CaO + TiO 2 , TiC 0.5 +Ca 10 (PO 4 ) 6 (OH) 2 , Ti 5 Si 3 + ZrO 2 , and TiC 0.5 + ZrO 2 in an Ar atmosphere or reactively in a gaseous mixture of Ar+14% N 2 . The films were characterized in terms of their structure, chemical, mechanical, and tribological properties. The biocompatibility of the films was evaluated by both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro studies involved the investigation of adhesion, spreading and proliferation of Rat-1 fibroblasts, MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, and IAR-2 epithelial cells, morphometric analysis, actin cytoskeleton and focal contacts staining of the cells cultivated on the films. Alkaline phosphatase activity and von Kossa staining of osteoblastic culture were investigated. Three groups of the in vivo investigations were fulfilled. Teflon plates coated with the tested films were inserted subcutaneous in mice and analysis of the population of cells on the surfaces was performed. Implantation studies of Ti rings and Ti rods coated with tested films using rat calvarian and hip defect models were also fulfilled. The results obtained show that Ti- based multicomponent films possess a combination of high hardness and adhesion strength, reduced Young's modulus, low wear and friction, high corrosion resistance with bioactivity, biocompatibility and non-toxicity that makes the films promising candidates as tribological coatings to be used for various medical applications like orthopedic prostheses, materials for connective surgery and dental implants. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Ti-based multicomponent films; Composite targets; Magnetron sputtering; Physical, mechanical, and tribological properties; Attachment, spreading, and proliferation of cells; Cytocompatibility in vitro, biocompatibility in vivo 1. Introduction In order to obtain artificial implants with enhanced physical, chemical, mechanical, tribological, and biological properties resulting in their accelerated self-adaptation in human body and long-term performance, it is necessary to combine the advan- tages of materials with various properties: biocompatibility, bioactivity, excellent corrosion resistance, high fatigue and tensile strength, low modulus of elasticity and friction coef- ficient, high wear resistance. Ti, Ca, Zr, C, N, O, and P are suitable elements to optimize surface chemistry and promote fast osteointegration. Titanium nitride (TiN) has been used for orthopedic and dental implants due to its high hardness, and remarkable resistance to wear and corrosion [1]. TiN surface is able to induce the spontaneous nucleation of calcium phosphate if it is only partially oxidized [2]. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is widely used in biomedical applications because of its excellent biocompatibility, blood compatibility, corrosion resistance, and negative surface charge in physiological solution [3]. Carbon has high potential in the biomedical field. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) is a metastable form of amorphous carbon containing a significant fraction of sp 3 bonds and is a hard, wear- and corrosion-resistant material which possesses low friction Surface & Coatings Technology 201 (2006) 4111 – 4118 www.elsevier.com/locate/surfcoat ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +7 495 230 4535; fax: +7 495 236 5298. E-mail address: shtansky@shs.misis.ru (D.V. Shtansky). 0257-8972/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2006.08.012