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To improve the adaptability of GLC coatings in aqueous environment, a dense structure for GLC coatings was designed and constructed by nitrogen doping via PVD technique. The nitrogen content was tailored via tuning the nitrogen flow rate to optimize the tribological performances of the N-doped GLC coatings in water as well as to investigate the effects of different nitrogen contents. And the optimal nitrogen flow rate was 5 sccm. The results implied the nitrogen doping favored the increase of adhesion strength. The dense structure built by nitrogen doping entitled the N-GLC coatings to improved wear resistance in water and enhanced aqueous-adaptability, because the corrosion by water can be effectively inhibited compared with the column-structured nitrogen-free GLC coatings via PVD. [Display omitted] • The nitrogen modified GLC coatings with dense structure and better adhesion strength were constructed via PVD technique. • The nitrogen contents in the N-doped GLC coatings can be tailored by tuning the nitrogen flow rate in the PVD process. • The nitrogen-free GLC coating was failed in water environment, while the N-GLC coating with 5 sccm flow rate showed a lowest wear rate of 2.47 × 10-8 mm3/Nm. • The nitrogen doping contributed to the densification of the coatings and thus improved their aqueous-adaptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]