Witold Kaczorowski

Frictional Behavior of Polyurethane Modified by Carbon Coatings Synthesized in Dual-Frequency Plasma

ABSTRACT A method for changing the surface properties of polymeric materials is by plasma treatment and, in particular, the modification by carbon coatings synthesized using plasma techniques. This article presents the tribological properties of carbon coatings produced on polyurethane substrates by a dual-frequency plasma technique. The analyses were made in terms of placement of the samples in the reactor and the number of modification steps. The samples were characterized by atomic force microscopy and friction tests, which were performed using a ball-on-disc tribometer. The chemical structure of the produced coatings was analyzed with the use of Raman spectroscopy. The obtained results show that the best tribological properties were characteristic of carbon coatings produced on samples placed onto the water-cooled electrode without preliminary ion etching in an argon atmosphere. The modifications decreased the coefficient of friction from 1.2, characteristic of unmodified polyurethane, to a value of about 0.38. The wear rate was reduced from 16.8 × 10−5 to a value of 4 × 10−9 mm3/Nm. Based on analysis of the wear tracks it was determined that for the proposed combination of a ZrO2 ball versus a polyurethane disc modified with a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer the dominant mechanism of wear is friction; however, in extreme cases, when the DLC coating is worn out, characteristic debris can be observed.

Nanocrystalline carbon coatings and powders for medicine

All the allotropic forms of carbon, i.e., diamond, graphite and carbine, find applications in different areas of medicine, but diamond is specifically preferred. The unique properties of thin diamond layers, due to the highest biocompatibility of carbon resulting from the presence of this element in human body, make them candidates for producing biomaterials. Especially carbon in the form of a nanocrystalline diamond film has found industrial applications in the area of medical implants. Diamond Powder Particles (DPP), as an extended surface NCD, are useful for medical examinations. Different medical implants are covered with Nanocrystalline Diamond Coatings (NCD). NCD forms a diffusion barrier between implant and human environment.

Physicochemical and Biological Investigation of Different Structures of Carbon Coatings Deposited onto Polyurethane

The aim of this study was to examine the thrombogenic properties of polyurethane that was surface modified with carbon coatings. Physicochemical properties of manufactured coatings were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy and contact angle measurement methods. Samples were examined by the Impact-R method evaluating the level of platelets activation and adhesion of particular blood cell elements. The analysis of antimicrobial resistance against E. coli colonization and viability of endothelial cells showed that polyurethane modified with use of carbon layers constituted an interesting solution for biomedical application.

CVD carbon powders modified by ball milling

Abstract Carbon powders produced using a plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods are an interesting subject of research. One of the most interesting methods of synthesizing these powders is using radio frequency plasma. This method, originally used in deposition of carbon films containing different sp2/sp3 ratios, also makes possible to produce carbon structures in the form of powder. Results of research related to the mechanical modification of these powders have been presented. The powders were modified using a planetary ball mill with varying parameters, such as milling speed, time, ball/powder mass ratio and additional liquids. Changes in morphology and particle sizes were measured using scanning electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Phase composition was analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. The influence of individual parameters on the modification outcome was estimated using statistical method. The research proved that the size of obtained powders is mostly influenced by the milling speed and the amount of balls. Powders tend to form conglomerates sized up to hundreds of micrometers. Additionally, it is possible to obtain nanopowders with the size around 100 nm. Furthermore, application of additional liquid, i.e. water in the process reduces the graphitization of the powder, which takes place during dry milling.