Influence of water/O2 plasma treatment on cellular responses of PCL and PET surfaces

Abstract

In this study, low pressure water/O 2 plasma treatment was performed in order to obtain COOH functionalities on the surface of poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) membranes as well as non-woven polyester fabric (NWPF) discs. The plasma treatments were performed in a cylindrical, capacitively coupled RF-plasma-reactor and then following steps were performed: in situ (oxalyl chloride vapors) gas/solid reaction to convert -OH functionalities into -COCl groups; and hydrolysis under open laboratory conditions using air moisture for final-COOH functionalities. COOH and OH functionalities on modified surfaces were detected quantitatively by using fluorescent labeling technique and an UVX 300G sensor. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was used to evaluate the relative surface atomic compositions and the carbon and oxygen linkages located in non-equivalent atomic positions of untreated and modified surfaces. Atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis showed that nanoscale features of the PCL surfaces are dramatically changed during the surface treatments. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated the changes in the relatively smooth appearance of the untreated NWPF discs after the plasma treatment. Periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts were used in cell culture studies. Cell culture results showed that plasma treated PCL membranes and NWPF discs were favorable for the PDL cell spreading, growth and viability due to the presence of functional groups and/or nanotopographies on their surfaces.

Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Surface Treatment of Polymers and Influence on Cell Cultivation

“…The polymers surface modification was investigated using periodontal ligament fibroblasts cells. Fibroblasts cells spreading, viability and growth were improved as showed by the workers [ 93 ]. Moreover, the deposition of PCL homopolymer and poly ε-caprolactone-polyethylene glycol (PCL-PEG) copolymer onto electrospun PCL scaffold by APPJ was investigated [ 94 ].…”

Development of novel hydrogel composites for bioprinting and engineering of thick tissues

“…modification methods are alkali treatment for a duration ranging from several hours to a few days, depending on the solution concentration and sample size[212][213][214], as well as gas plasma treatment (e.g. oxygen, O2 and argon, Ar) that requires only a few minutes[165,202,206].Furthermore, Ar plasma can enhance the surface hydrophilicity and introduce peroxides and hydroperoxides functional groups onto the surface. Surface hydrophilicity and cell biocompatibility can be further improved with polymerized (UV grafting) or immobilized hydrophilic natural polymer (e.g.…”