Surface modification of bio-orderly CrTiN thin films with periodic corrugated nanopod structures by picosecond laser ablation

With the increasing demand for biomimetic structures in the biomedical field, ultrafast lasers have been extensively used for modifying the surfaces of alloy thin films. Herein, we propose a method entailing the use of picosecond laser ablation for modifying the surfaces of chromium–Ti nitride (CrTiN) thin films for cell culture processes. The surface roughness and ripple characteristics of the periodic corrugated nanopod structures formed on these films were effectively controlled by controlling the laser fluence. The surface roughness and contact angles of ripple structures were affected by the laser fluence, and the mechanical and electrochemical properties of these structures could be improved by appropriately controlling the laser fluence. The wetting behaviors of the prepared CrTiN thin films with different roughness values were affected by the laser–material interaction. Furthermore, the periodic corrugated nanopod structures on these films enhanced the proliferation and viability of A549 cells on the films. This paper provides an alternative method for growing cells on surfaces with periodic microstructures or nanostructures. The proposed method has the potential for use in the development of new microcomposites or nanocomposites and in-vivo detection in biomedical applications.