Cell viability and adhesion on diamond-like carbon films containing titanium dioxide nanoparticles

► The increasing concentration of TiO2 nanoparticles in DLC films enhanced the mitochondrial activity on these samples. ► The pseudoconfluent layer of elongated and adherent cells demonstrated very good adhesion on the coatings. ► The increasing concentration of TiO2 decreases the LDH activity on these samples and shown the integrity of plasma membrane. ► A high cell attachment was obtained on TiO2-DLC (0.5 g/L).