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

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers 2012-08, Vol.9 (8), p.782-791
• Main Authors: Gordeev, Ivan, Choukourov, Andrei, Šimek, Milan, Prukner, Václav, Biederman, Hynek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; fibrinogen; non-fouling properties; PEO; Physicochemistry of polymers; plasma polymerization; Polymerization; Polymers and radiations; surface dielectric barrier discharge
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201100213

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. The non‐fouling poly(ethylene oxide)‐like plasma polymer films are prepared by atmospheric pressure amplitude‐modulated AC surface dielectric barrier discharge in Ar environment with di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether vapours. The good protein resistance properties of deposits are detected by QCM analysing instrument which are consistent with the XPS and FTIR data.