PEO‐like Plasma Polymers Prepared by Atmospheric Pressure Surface Dielectric Barrier Discharge

Abstract

This work investigates the properties of poly(ethylene oxide)‐like plasma polymers prepared by amplitude‐modulated AC surface dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure. The discharge was driven in argon with admixtures of di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether and special attention was paid to optimization of the experimental parameters for fabrication of thin films with enhanced retention of ether structure. Chemical composition of the plasma polymers was studied by XPS and FTIR whereas their non‐fouling properties were tested in terms of adsorption of fibrinogen. Under investigated range of discharge conditions, plasma polymers with up to 70% retention of the poly(ethylene oxide) character and with non‐fouling properties were obtained.

Pulsed plasma initiated chemical vapor deposition (PiCVD) of polymer layers − A kinetic model for the description of gas phase to surface interactions in pulsed plasma discharges

“…Moreover, rather short radical lifetimes (ca. τ s = 1 μs) were calculated for steady‐state conditions, in accordance with the lifetime of the argon species as determined by time‐resolved optical emission spectroscopy (TR‐OES) measurements (Figure S6) . Then, in order to estimate the effective volume contributing to the thin film's growth, one can reverse the calculation using the theoretical value of the kinetic constant of propagation k p,theo reported in the literature (Table ).…”

Deposition of Non-Fouling PEO-Like Coatings Using a Low Temperature Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet

“…In the case of ϕ p of 50 μl · min −1 , a gradual reduction in protein binding is observed after initial surface attachment. As the % COC retention is shown to increase at increasing monomer flow rate, it is expected that deposition of DEGVE at higher ϕ p will enable the formation of films with COC > 60%, which may exhibit protein‐resistant properties previously identified from depositions of this monomer …”

“…When depositing non‐fouling PEO surfaces, there are two important factors to consider: (i) hydrolytic film stability and (ii) retention of non‐fouling functionality (COC > 60%) . Numerous techniques have been used to create non‐fouling PEO‐like functional surfaces including self‐assembly, spin coating, solvent casting and plasma polymerisation .…”

“…While the report by Da Ponte et al did not include information relating to protein resistance, Nisol et al reported on a reduction of albumin adsorption measured by XPS analysis of % N after rinsing and drying the samples. Gordeev et al also formed PEO‐like films from di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether (DEGVE) by DBD plasma deposition with COC character >60% which proved to be sufficient to prevent fibrinogen binding (0.05 mg · ml −1 ) measured using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique.…”

Energetics of reactions in a dielectric barrier discharge with argon carrier gas: VI PEG‐like coatings

“…Such experimental complications led several research groups, including the present authors, to prefer lighter precursors. For example, vinyl‐containing compounds such as tri(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether, or di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether were found to yield quite high PEG character in resulting PP. One of the above‐cited light oligoglymes, namely diglyme (2G) was used by Bhatt et al in AP PP experiments with an argon plasma jet; they reported partially‐reduced cell adhesion (human ovarian carcinoma cell line [NIH:OVCAR‐3]) on their coatings; those coatings possessed a PEG character of ca.…”