Hemocompatibility of ZnO thin films prepared by filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) thin films were prepared by cathodic vacuum arc deposition (CVAD) and filtered cathodic vacuum arc deposition (FCVAD) technology with a mixture of O2, Ar and N2. XRD patterns indicated that ZnO thin films prepared by CVAD had a combined orientation of ZnO (002) and ZnO (101). The preferential orientation ZnO (002) could be obtained at an optimum deposition pressure. On the other hand, a perfectly oriented ZnO (002) thin film prepared by FCVAD was obtained in lower pressure, which was beneficial to enhance the crystallization. The wetting behavior showed that all the ZnO thin films prepared by FCVAD were hydrophobic with low surface energy, but the reference samples of the polyurethane (PU) and glass are hydrophilic. Platelet adhesion test indicated that fewer platelets adhered and aggregated on the ZnO thin films prepared by FCVAD. The mechanism of hemocompatibility of ZnO thin films has also been investigated. It is suggested that hydrophobic surface with lower polar component and adhesive work are the two factors responsible for the excellent hemocompatibility.