Surface properties of carbon structures evaporated on polytetrafluoroethylene

Carbon layers were deposited by flash evaporation from carbon fiber on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The layer thickness, surface roughness, and morphology were determined from atomic force microscopy measurements. The electrokinetic potential of the prepared structures was studied by electrokinetic analysis. Layer wettability was determined by measuring the contact angle and the electrical conductivity by a standard two-point method. The chemical composition of the layers was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that the carbon deposition leads to a decrease of surface roughness of the PTFE and to a significant increase of sample wettability and electrical conductivity. Oxygen-containing groups were detected on deposited carbon layers. Cytocompatibility of the samples was tested using of human diploid fibroblastoids (HDF). In comparison with pristine PTFE the carbon-coated PTFE shows dramatically increased adhesion and proliferation of HDF on the sample surface.