Corrosion resistance of praseodymium-ion-implanted TiN coatings in blood and cytocompatibility with vascular endothelial cells

• TiN coatings deposited by DC magnetron sputtering are implanted with Pr ion by cathodic arc plasma ion implanter.
• The corrosion resistance could be improved with Pr ion implantation on blood condition.
• Pr ion implantation decreases the hemolysis rate of the TiN coatings.
• Pr ion implantation can effectively improve cytocompatibility of TiN coatings.

Praseodymium (Pr) is implanted into TiN coatings to improve the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility in blood plasma. The corrosion resistance of the Pr-doped TiN coatings in blood plasma is improved based on electrochemical measurements. Pr ion implantation dramatically decreases the hemolysis rate of the TiN coatings suggesting their suitability in cardiovascular applications. The viability of vascular endothelial cells seeded on the untreated TiN coatings and two Pr implanted TiN coatings implanted for different time is assessed. The vascular endothelial cell attach and grow to confluence on the Pr implanted TiN coatings and a network composed of vascular tissues is observed from the 0.5 h Pr implanted coatings. The results suggest that Pr ion implantation can effectively improve the corrosion resistance as well as cytocompatibility of TiN coatings in blood plasma.