Surface modification of polymers: Physical, chemical, mechanical and biological methods

Abstract

The principal objectives and methods of surface modification of polymers are reviewed in this paper. The techniques covered include physical, chemical, mechanical and biological methods.

Chemical Modification of Surfaces

“…It is also possible to attach entire biomolecules onto a surface. (33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38) Examples of biomolecules that can be immobilized on a surface include proteins, peptides, saccharides, lipids, DNA, and drugs. Even living cells can be immobilized on a surface.…”

Elaboration of nano-structured grafted polymeric surface

“…One of the first works was performed by I. Langmuir and K. Blodgett on a homogenous monolayer of amphiphilic compounds. There are several ways that thin films can be deposited on the surface like spin coating, precipitation, polymer adsorption and chemical grafting [1]. The grafting techniques allow for a large spectrum of attached functional groups the control of surface properties like adhesion, wettability, biocompatibility and as well for multi-functional stimuli responses.…”

Surface modification of chitosan/PEO nanofibers by air dielectric barrier discharge plasma for acetylcholinesterase immobilization

“…They are safe and clean processes without chemical-wasting [1,2]. In addition, because of some destructive chemical reactions, chemical methods cannot be suitable for immobilizing biomolecules on the surface of polymers in all cases [3].…”

“…Low-pressure plasma modification is one of the physical methods which is widely used without alerting polymers bulk properties [2,4]. In order to have an effective and economical method, atmospheric-pressure air-DBD has been used as the plasma source.…”