Surface modification of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) by means of microwave plasma treatment for improvement of adhesion and growth of human endothelial cells

Surface modification of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) vascular prostheses was carried out by means of low pressure microwave plasma treatment. Hydrogen/ water vapour mixtures (containing excess of hydrogen) were shown to be efficient with respect to functionalization of PTFE. The results of treatments in dependence on various gas pressures and treatment times were detected by physicochemical techniques (zeta potential, wetting measurements) and by surface spectroscopy (XPS, ATR‐FTIR). Furthermore, adhesion and proliferation of human endothelial cells from umbilical cord (HUVEC) onto modified ePTFE were observed in vitro in culture media. The results of this biological test of plasma treated materials correlate well with physicochemical surface parameters.