Functional Micropatterned Surfaces by Combination of Plasma Polymerization and Lift‐Off Processes

Abstract

Summary: In this study, microstructured surfaces are produced by a spatial arrangement of different functional domains by a combination of plasma polymerization and photolithography. Two different kinds of protein and cell adhesive patterns have been alternated with non‐fouling areas. Non‐fouling patterns are made of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)‐like polymers obtained by pulsed plasma polymerization of diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, which leads to coatings with a high concentration of ethylene oxide groups (>70%). Fouling surfaces are composed of PEO coatings with a low concentration of ethylene oxide groups (≈40%) and films containing amino groups (from allylamine monomer) obtained by plasma polymerization. High pattern fidelity is demonstrated by ellispometry measurements, whereas XPS and ToF‐SIMS analyses have been used to characterize the surfaces. Experiments with a model protein (bovine serum albumin) and cells (L929 mouse fibroblasts) on patterned surfaces show that proteins and cells only adhere on the patterns, whereas the background stays uncovered.

Cleaning using nanobubbles: Defouling by electrochemical generation of bubbles

“…Another strategy relies on physical and chemical modification of the surface microgeometry. The influence of natural microscale surface topography on fouling has been investigated [9], and patterning with nanoscale or microscale features has been demonstrated as another strategy for protein adsorption resistance [10,11]. Alternatively, a biomimetic strategy has been employed using natural antifouling compounds to reduce the adsorption of micro-organisms using environmentally friendly antimicrobial compounds [12].…”

Stem-cell culture on patterned bio-functional surfaces

“…The PDMS stamps have been inked with a protein solution (PLL, Sigma-Aldrich, 25 µg/ml diluted in carbonate buffer, pH 8.5), then dried with a nitrogen stream and put in conformal contact with the substrate. Substrates were either glass slides or polystyrene Petri dishes coated with a 20-nm-thick PEG layer deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition [9].…”

Single Stem Cell Positioning on Polylysine and Fibronectin Microarrays

“…The microstructured PDMS were used as stamps for the direct printing of poly-L-lysine and fibronectin on Petri dishes coated with a layer of plasma polymerized polyethylene oxide-like (PEOlike) film deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition [13]. Before inking, the PDMS stamps were ultrasonicated in ethanol for 5 min and cleaned in mild O 2 plasma (200W, 1.2 mtorr) for Published in Micro and Nanosystems 1 (2009) 50-56 30 seconds.…”