On the origin of better hemocompatibility of the BCxNyOz coatings

•With RF magnetron sputtering technique, BCxNyOz coatings were deposited on Ti-6Al-4V, with variation (N2) flow rate.•BC0.65N0.04O0.33, BC0.64N0.55O0.43, and BC0.64N0.79O0.45, deposited at N2 flow rate of 0, 5, and 10 sccm.•The increase in [N]/[B] and [N]/[C] ratios in films making surfaces more hydrophilic.•Less than 2.5% hemolysis rate and declined number of erythrocytes, advocate the favourable response towards RBCs.•Reduced number of adhered platelets with no morphological changes, reflect their non-active state.•Increased dynamic coagulation time and plasma recalcification time further confirms hemocompatibility.