Comparison of Atmospheric‐Pressure Plasma versus Low‐Pressure RF Plasma for Surface Functionalization of PTFE for Biomedical Applications

Summary: PTFE surface modifications have been realized using low‐pressure RFGD, DBD and APGD in different atmospheres. Compared to the RFGD NH3 plasma, the DBDs operating in H2/N2 lead to similar surface concentrations of amino groups and similar surface damage, but with a much higher specificity. Both APGDs in H2/N2 and NH3/N2 lead to lower concentrations of amino groups, but with similar specificity, and with lower surface damage than the RFGD treatment. A method is proposed to evaluate the efficiency of the different discharges for amine surface functionalization of PTFE, and it is concluded that the NH3/N2 APGD discharge is the one that give the best results for an effective surface treatment. Experimental setups for the DBD and the APGD plasma systems. magnified image Experimental setups for the DBD and the APGD plasma systems.