Bayu Mahdi Kartika, Karina Anggraeni, A’liyatur Rosyidah, Muhammad Kozin, Hari Suprihatin, Vika Arwida Fanita Sari, Margono, Fredina Destyorini, Resetiana Dwi Desiati, Yogi Angga Swasono, Muhammad Said, Abdul Mudjib Sulaiman, Anjar Anggraini Harumningtyas, Wiwien Andriyanti
Diamond-like carbon (DLC)/Ag, DLC/Cu, and DLC/AgCu films were deposited on stainless steel 316 (SS316) substrates using a sequential dual plasma system i.e. plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and sputtering. A DLC as base layer was first deposited by PECVD, followed by the surface deposition of Ag and Cu through sputtering. The effects of Ag and Cu incorporation were investigated by varying deposition time. Film thickness, morphology, composition, and structure of films were analyzed by profilometer, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM-EDS, and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Surface wettability, mechanical properties, and electrochemical corrosion of films were evaluated using water contact angle, microhardness and potentiodynamic polarization tests, while antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus InaCC B4 was examined by calculating the CFU/mL. The deposited films on SS316 were confirmed through surface and cross-section observation. DLC/Cu films showed improved hardness, while DLC/Ag films exhibited improved hydrophobic properties with contact angle at 111.9 ± 3.4°. The degree of crystallinity of films was found at 69.2% for DLC/Ag, 36.3% for DLC/Cu, and 51.4% for DLC/AgCu. Electrochemical corrosion tests revealed the highest anti-corrosion performance through charge transfer resistance on DLC/AgCu films. Furthermore, the results of antibacterial showed DLC/AgCu films completely inhibited bacterial growth (CFU ≈ 0). This study suggests that DLC/AgCu coatings have potential for antibacterial and corrosion-resistant for biomedical applications. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2026.
Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, National Research and Innovation Agency, Yogyakarta, 55861, Indonesia; Research Center for Vaccine and Drugs, National Research and Innovation Agency, West Java, Bogor, 16911, Indonesia; Research Center for Composite and Biomaterials, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Directorate of Laboratory Management, Research Facilities, and Science and Technology Park, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta, 10340, Indonesia; Mechanical Engineering Department, Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Warga Surakarta, Jalan Raya Solo – Baki Km 2, Sukoharjo, 57552, Indonesia; Research Center for Nanotechnology System, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Research Center for Energy Materials, National Research and Innovation Agency, South Tangerang, 15314, Indonesia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jalan Palembang- Prabumulih Km 32, Ogan Ilir, Indralaya, 30662, Indonesia; Research Center of Advanced Material and Nanocomposite, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jalan Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32, Ogan Ilir, Indralaya, 30662, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Brawijaya University, MT Haryono 167, Malang, 65145, Indonesia
