A combination of X-ray photoelectron, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies have shown that pulsed plasma polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) leads to the deposition of structurally well-defined poly(HEMA) films. The molecular weight and surface hydroxyl density of these plasma polymer layers can be controlled by varying the electrical discharge pulse duty cycle parameters. These films are found to display hydrogel behavior, and the surface hydroxyl groups readily undergo reaction with diethylchlorophosphite. The latter is shown to be a useful way of coordinating catalytic rhodium complexes to solid surfaces.

Hydrophobic polysiloxane-like thin films have been deposited onto polyethylene by introducing octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane precursors through an ultrasonic atomizer into an atmospheric pressure glow discharge. Enrichment of the gas feed with oxygen gives rise to the formation of hydrophilic SiOx coatings which exhibit an improvement in gas barrier.

Pulsed plasma polymerization of 2-cyanoethyl acrylate leads to the deposition of structurally well-defined cyano-functionalized thin films. These layers are found to readily complex silver ions from solution and also exhibit pressure-sensitive adhesive behavior.