Surface Modification of Biopolymers by Argon Plasma and Thermal Treatment

This work deals with the surface characterization of biocompatible polymers: poly(L‐lactide acid) (PLLA) and poly‐4‐methyl‐1‐pentene (PMP). Plasma irradiation and thermal treatment influences the surface wettability, morphology (AFM), chemical composition of surface (XPS) and electrokinetic (zeta) potential. After plasma treatment the surface morphology of PLLA changes dramatically. Plasma treatment generates oxygen groups on the surface of PMP and causes both PMP and PLLA ablation. The thermal treatment accelerates the aging of the polymer surface and dramatically changes the structure of modified PLLA. Plasma treatment improves significantly the cell adhesion and proliferation on the PMP. magnified image