Pulsed laser deposition of hydroxyapatite-diamondlike carbon multilayer films and their adhesion aspects

Abstract We have developed a layered hydroxyapatite/diamondlike carbon/functionally gradient diamondlike carbon-silver/titanium carbide/titanium carbonitride/titanium nitride composite film using pulsed laser deposition. A diamondlike carbon interlayer between a hydroxyapatite coating and the Ti-6Al-4V alloy can serve several purposes, including preventing corrosion of Ti-6Al-4V alloy, overcoming poor adhesion between the hydroxyapatite coating and the titanium oxide surface, and reducing inflammation at the implant/tissue interface. Titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride (TiC x N y ), titanium carbide and functionally gradient diamondlike carbon-silver layers were used to improve the adhesion of diamondlike carbon films to Ti-6Al-4V alloy. We envision several potential medical applications for these multilayer materials, including use in orthopedic and dental devices. Keywords: PULSED LASER DEPOSITIONDIAMONDLIKE CARBONFUNCTIONALLY GRADIENT MATERIALS