Synthesis and Characterization of Copper Doped Zinc Oxide Thin Films Deposited by RF/DC Sputtering Technique

Undoped and copper(Cu)doped zinc oxide(Zn_(1-x)Cu_(x)O,where x=0-0.065)nano crystal thin films have been deposited on glass substrate via RF/DC reactive co-sputtering technique.The aim of this work is to investigate the crystal structure of ZnO and Cu doped ZnO thin films and also study the effect of Cu doping on optical band gap of ZnO thin films.The identification and confirmation of the crystallinity,film thickness and surface morphology of the nano range thin films are confirmed by using X-ray diffractometer(XRD),scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope.The XRD peak at a diffractive angle of 34.44°and Miller indices at(002)confirms the ZnO thin films.Crystallite size of undoped ZnO thin films is 27 nm and decreases from 27 nm to 22 nm with increasing the atomic fraction of Cu(x_(Cu))in the ZnO thin films from 0 to 6.5%respectively,which is calculated from XRD(002)peaks.The different bonding information of all deposited films was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer in the range of wave number between 400 cm^(-1) to 4000 cm^(-1).Optical band gap energy of all deposited thin films was analyzed by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer,which varies from 3.35 eV to 3.19 eV with the increase of x_(Cu) from 0 to 6.5%respectively.Urbach energy of the deposited thin films increases from 115 meV to 228 meV with the increase of x_(Cu) from 0 to 6.5% respectively.

In vitro Cyto and Blood Compatibility of Titanium Containing Diamond-Like Carbon Prepared by Hybrid Sputtering Method

In recent years, diamond-like carbon films （DLC） have been given more attention in research in the biomedical industry due to their potential application as surface coating on biomedical materials such as metals and polymer substrates. There are many ways to prepare metal containing DLC films deposited on polymeric film substrates, such as coatings from car- bonaceous precursors and some means that incorporate other elements. In this study, we in- vestigated both the surface and biocompatible properties of titanium containing DLC （Ti-DLC） films. The Ti-DLC films were prepared on the surface of poly （ethylene terephthalate） （PET） film as a function of the deposition power level using reactive sputtering technique. The films＇ hydrophilicity was studied by contact angle and surface energy tests. Their surface morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. Their elemental chemical composition was analyzed using energy dispersive X-spectra （EDX） and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）. Their blood and cell compatibility was studied by in vitro tests, including tests on platelet adhesion, thrombus formation, whole blood clotting time and osteoblast cell compatibility. Significant changes in the morphological and chemical composition of the Ti-DLC films were observed and found to be a function of the deposition level. These morphological and chemical changes reduced the interfacial tension between Ti-DLC and blood proteins as well as resisted the adhesion and activation of platelets on the surface of the Ti-DLC films. The cell compatibility results exhibited significant growth of osteoblast cells on the surface of Ti incorporated DLC film compared with that of DLC film surface.