Functionalization of COC Surfaces by Microwave Plasmas

Cyclic olefin copolymers (COC) combine excellent transparency, high moisture barrier, high strength and stiffness and very low shrinkage. COCs have excellent chemical resistance to aqueous acids and bases and to most polar solvents. This property combination makes them excellent candidates for diverse diagnostic applications in biomedical science. But they are very hydrophobic and thus not suitable for cell-contacting applications. This work investigates the surface functionalization of COC compared to PS by NH3 and SO2 microwave plasmas. The surfaces were mainly analysed by high-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Moreover, cells were cultivated on both substrates to verify the applicability of COC for cell-based disposables. Actually, microwave plasma-functionalized COC surfaces support the adhesion and proliferation of adherent cell lines, which usually require the coating of the substrate with extra cellular matrix molecules.