Abstract

We have investigated the effect of changes in microstructure, surface energy, surface charge condition and electronic conduction on the interaction of human platelets with silicon modified hydrogenated amorphous carbon films (a-C:H:Si or Si-DLC). Results based on Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photo-electronspectroscopy, surface energy measurements, electrical resistivity, contact potential difference, and thermal annealing indicates a correlation between some of the measured values and the interaction of the films with human blood platelets. Statistical analysis of platelet aggregation on the films using the Student's t-test indicated differences between platelet aggregation on the modified films compared to the as-deposited film at a p-value of < 0.05. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.