Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films are generally used in biomedical applications, mainly because of their tribological and chemical properties that prevent the release of substrate ions, extend the life cycle of the material, and promote cell growth. The unique properties of the coating depend on the ratio of the sp³/sp² phases, where the sp² phase provides coatings with a low coefficient of friction and good electrical conductivity, while the share of the sp³ phase determines the chemical inertness, high hardness, and resistance to tribological wear. DLC coatings are characterized by high hardness, low coefficient of friction, high corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. These properties make them attractive as potential wear-resistant coatings in many compelling applications, including optical, mechanical, microelectronic, and biomedical applications. Another great advantage of DLC coatings is that they can be deposited at low temperatures on a variety of substrates and can thus be used to coat heat-sensitive materials, such as polymers. Coating deposition techniques are constantly being improved; techniques based on vacuum environment reactions are mainly used, such as physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). This review summarizes the current knowledge and research regarding diamond-like carbon coatings.

Graphene is a two-dimensional nanomaterial composed of carbon atoms with sp² hybrid orbitals. Both graphene and graphene-based composite have gained broad interest among researchers because of their outstanding physiochemical, mechanical, and biological properties. Graphene production techniques are divided into top-down and bottom-up synthesis methods, of which chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is the most popular. The biomedical applications of graphene and its composite include its use in sensors, implantology, and gene and drug delivery. They can be used for tissue engineering, anticancer therapies, and as antimicrobial agents in implant application. The biocompatibility of graphene-based nanomaterials enables their use in the field of biomedicine. This article reviews the properties of graphene, the methods used to produce it, the challenges associated with its use, and the potential applications of this material in biomedicine, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery systems.

The aim of the work is to compare the properties of nanohydroxyapatite coatings obtained using the electrophoretic deposition method (EDP) at 10 V, 20 V, and 30 V, and with deposit times of 2 and 5 min. The primary sedimentation was used to minimize the risk of the formation of particle agglomerates on the sample surface. Evaluation of the coating was performed by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), optical profilometer, drop shape analyzer, and a nanoscratch tester. All of the coatings are homogeneous without any agglomerates. When low voltage (10 V) was used, the coatings were uniform and continuous regardless of the deposition time. The increase in voltage resulted in the formation of cracks in the coatings. The wettability test shows the hydrophilic behavior of the coatings and the mean contact angle values are in the range of 20–37$°$. The coatings showed excellent adhesion to the substrate. The application of a maximum force of 400 mN did not cause delamination in most coatings. It is concluded that the optimal coating for orthopedic implants (such as hip joint implants, knee joint implants or facial elements) is obtained at 10 V and 5 min because of its homogeneity, and a contact angle that promotes osseointegration and great adhesion to the substrate.

Microbial colonization in veterinary stents poses a significant and concerning issue in veterinary medicine. Over time, these pathogens, particularly bacteria, can colonize the stent surfaces, leading to various complications. Two weeks following the stent insertion procedure, the colonization becomes observable, with the aggressiveness of bacterial growth directly correlating with the duration of stent placement. Such microbial colonization can result in infections and inflammations, compromising the stent’s efficacy and, subsequently, the animal patient’s overall well-being. Managing and mitigating the impact of these pathogens on veterinary stents is a crucial challenge that veterinarians and researchers are actively addressing to ensure the successful treatment and recovery of their animal patients. In addition, irritation of the tissue in the form of an inserted stent can lead to overgrowth of granulation tissue, leading to the closure of the stent lumen, as is most often the case in the trachea. Such serious complications after stent placement require improvements in the procedures used to date. In this review, antibacterial or antibiofilm strategies for several stents used in veterinary medicine have been discussed based on the current literature and the perspectives have been drawn. Various coating strategies such as coating with hydrogel, antibiotic, or other antimicrobial agents have been reviewed.

The aim of the work is to compare the properties of nanohydroxyapatite coatings containing antibiotic - gentamicin or silver nanoparticles. The coatings were obtained using the electrophoretic deposition method (EDP). The additives were introduced by the immersion method. Evaluation of the coating was performed by using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX), and a drop shape analyzer. Antibacterial properties were examined by assessing the surface after incubation in a bacterial solution for 30 days. The corrosion properties of the materials were also assessed. Silver nanoparticles and the antibiotic were successfully incorporated into the nanohydroxyapatite coating. The wettability test shows the hydrophilic behavior of the coatings that contains an antibiotic. Furthermore, the average contact angle (CA) value for nanohydroxyapatite doped with silver nanoparticles increased to 120°. The highest surface roughness was observed for the coating containing silver. All nanohydroxapatite modifications improved the corrosion resistance of the titanium alloy, but the best results were obtained by nanohydroxapatite with AgNPs, where the Icorr parameter was 15.5 ± 3.9 μA/cm², Ecorr showed the most positive value of 25.6 ± 1.7 mV, and Rpol was 8.1 ± 0.2 kΩ cm². For comparison, the corresponding values for the nHAp coating are: 41.7 ± 1.9 μA/cm², -56.1 ± 1.6 mV, 3.6 ± 0.4 kΩ cm². It was found that both the coating with added AgNPs and the one with a higher concentration of gentamicin exhibited antibacterial properties. It can be stated that the silver-containing coating shows greater potential for combating perioperative infections due to the combination of good corrosion resistance and broad-spectrum antibacterial properties.