Corrosion resistance of praseodymium-ion-implanted TiN coatings in blood and cytocompatibility with vascular endothelial cells

Praseodymium (Pr) is implanted into TiN coatings to improve the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility in blood plasma. The corrosion resistance of the Pr-doped TiN coatings in blood plasma is improved based on electrochemical measurements. Pr ion implantation dramatically decreases the hemolysis rate of the TiN coatings suggesting their suitability in cardiovascular applications. The viability of vascular endothelial cells seeded on the untreated TiN coatings and two Pr implanted TiN coatings implanted for different time is assessed. The vascular endothelial cell attach and grow to confluence on the Pr implanted TiN coatings and a network composed of vascular tissues is observed from the 0.5 h Pr implanted coatings. The results suggest that Pr ion implantation can effectively improve the corrosion resistance as well as cytocompatibility of TiN coatings in blood plasma.