Lu, Shiqi Wei, Xubing Lee, Kwang-Ryeol Ding, Jiaqing Guo, Peng Chen, Kai Zhang, Dekun Zhang, Wei Li, Xiaowei 2025-03-19T15:30:18Z 2025-03-19T15:30:18Z 2025-03-19 2025-04 0257-8972 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/151905 Joint implants are pivotal in effectively treating joint injuries resulting from an aging population, sports-related trauma, and chronic diseases. Among these, implants coated with Ag-DLC coatings have garnered significant attention for their excellent antibacterial properties, which substantially reduced the risk of tissue inflammation in the early postoperative stage. However, there was a lack of research on the coating's structure and the resistance to tribo-corrosion issues during the postoperative stable service stage. In this study, the Ag migration clusters on the surface of Ag-DLC coating were removed by a physical soaking method to simulate the actual state of the coatings during the postoperative stable service stage, and the microstructure, mechanical properties, tribo-corrosion behavior, and osteogenic performance were systematically investigated. The results indicated that the treated Ag-DLC coating deposited at an Ag target current of 0.6 A (S2) exhibited a looser and more porous surface morphology, increased surface roughness, a higher sp2/sp3 ratio, and reduced mechanical properties compared to that of 0.4 A (S1). These differences were attributed to the surface diffusion effect and Ag migration behavior. The treated Ag-DLC coatings greatly improved the tribo-corrosion resistance and the osteogenic property of the 316L SS. The underlying mechanism involves a solid-liquid composite lubrication system with a mixed lubrication state, coupled with the blockage diffusion channel formed by Ag migration behavior, and the properties were closely dependent on the graphitization degree of friction interface and adequacy of the fluid lubrication film. English Elsevier BV Probing the tribo-corrosion behavior and mechanism of Ag-DLC coating and its osteogenic property during postoperative stable service stage Article 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2025.131947 1 Surface and Coatings Technology, v.501 Surface and Coatings Technology 501 N scie scopus 001430115500001 2-s2.0-85217949292 Materials Science, Coatings & Films Physics, Applied Materials Science Physics Article DIAMOND-LIKE CARBON ALTERNATIVE ACTIVATION THIN-FILMS ANTIBACTERIAL TITANIUM TRIBOCORROSION SURFACES RATIO SI Joint implant Ag-DLC coating Postoperative stable service stage Tribo-corrosion Osteogenic property