Use of different size grids to control the surface chemistry of plasma‐polymerized acrylic acid films in a hybrid discharge

The surface chemistry of plasma‐polymerized acrylic acid (ppAc) films were controlled in a two‐stage (primary and processing) hybrid radio frequency (RF) discharge by changing the grid wire spacing (d_s). Two regions were defined in terms of d_s with respect to Debye length (λ_d) in the primary chamber at the grid to control the electron temperature (T_e) and surface chemistry of the ppAc films deposited in the processing chamber. A higher T_e (>3 eV) in the processing plasma was possible for d_s > λ_d, whereas decreasing d_s relative to λ_d reduced T_e. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to characterize the ppAc films deposited on a glass substrate. The ppAc films surface characterization showed the maximum proportion of carbon atoms as carboxylic/ester [C(?O)OX] functionalities in C1s at the surface of films for the grid with d_s ≈ λ_d. The proportion of carbon atoms as ? [C(?O)OX] and COX in C1s at the surface decreased when d_s decreased relative to λ_d. The proportion of carbon atoms as carbonyl (C?O) at the film surface showed very good stability for all of the d_s values explored in this study. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 104: 2219–2224, 2007     

Development of antimicrobial stainless steel via surface modification with N‐halamines: Characterization of surface chemistry and N‐halamine chlorination

N‐halamine modification of materials enables the development of antimicrobial materials whose activity can be regenerated after exposure to halogenated sanitizers. Surface and bulk modification of polymers by N‐halamines has shown great success, however, modification of inorganic substrates (e.g., stainless steel) remains an area of research need. Herein, we report the covalent surface modification of stainless steel to possess rechargeably antimicrobial N‐halamine moieties. Multilayers of branched polyethyleneimine and poly(acrylic acid) were immobilized onto the surface of stainless steel and the number of N‐halamines available to complex chlorine was quantified. Samples were characterized through contact angle, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ellipsometry, dye assay for amine quantification, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Increasing the number of multilayers from one to six increased the number of N‐halamines available to complex chlorine from 0.30 ± 0.5 to 36.81 ± 5.0 nmol cm^?2. XPS and FTIR confirmed successful covalent layer‐by‐layer deposition of the N‐halamine multilayers. The reported layer‐by‐layer deposition technique resulted in a greater than seven‐fold increase of available N‐halamine compared to prior reports of N‐halamine surface modifications. The N‐halamine modified steel demonstrated antimicrobial activity (99.7% reduction) against the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes. Such surface modified stainless steel with increased N‐halamine functionality, and therefore potential for rechargeable antimicrobial activity, supports efforts to reduce cross‐contamination by pathogenic organisms in the food and biomedical industries. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Electroless copper plating on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene material surfaces without chromic acid etching and a palladium catalyst

Hydrolysis modification of nitrile groups on acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plate surfaces into carboxylic acid groups was investigated to find a new recipe for electroless copper plating of ABS plate surfaces without etching reactions using chromic acid and also without a palladium catalyst. Hydrolysis modification of nitrile groups was successfully conducted in an aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution (70 wt %) at 80°C for more than 72 h, and nitrile groups were modified into carboxylic acid groups. The hydrolysis modification was accelerated by the addition of dioxane as a supplement to the aqueous NaOH solution. The modification, when an aqueous mixture solution of NaOH (35 wt %) and dioxane (10 wt %) was used as a reagent, was accomplished at 65°C in 30 min. The hydrolyzed ABS plate surfaces were successfully metalized by electroless copper plating. A silver catalyst, instead of a palladium catalyst, was usable in the electroless copper‐plating process. Adhesion between the deposited copper metal and ABS plate surface was perfect for the Scotch tape test. Consequently, we propose a new recipe for an electroless copper‐plating process without an etching process using chromic acid and without a palladium catalyst. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Preparation and characterization of a positive thermoresponsive hydrogel for drug loading and release

A positive thermoresponsive hydrogel composed of poly(acrylic acid)‐graft‐β‐cyclodextrin (PAAc‐g‐β‐CD) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) was synthesized with the sequential interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) method for the purpose of improving its loading and release of drugs. The structure and properties of the PAAc‐g‐β‐CD/PAAm hydrogel (IPN hydrogel) were characterized with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and swelling measurements. FTIR studies showed that the IPN hydrogel was primarily composed of an IPN of PAAc‐g‐β‐CD and PAAm. The data from DSC and swelling measurements indicated that the phase‐transition temperature or upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of the IPN hydrogel was approximately 35°C. Through the measurement of the temperature dependence of the swelling, increases in the UCST and non‐sensitivity to changes in the salt concentration were observed for the IPN hydrogel versus the normal IPN hydrogel poly(acrylic acid)/PAAm (without β‐cyclodextrin). Furthermore, the swelling/deswelling kinetics of the IPN hydrogel also exhibited an improved controllable response rate versus the normal IPN hydrogel. Ibuprofen (IBU) was chosen as the model drug for examining loading and release from the IPN hydrogel. The experimental data proved that the IPN hydrogel provided a positive drug release pattern; the IBU released faster at 37°C than at 25°C, and improved drug loading and controlled release were achieved by the IPN hydrogel versus the normal IPN hydrogel. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Metallization of crosslinked acrylate resin by reduction of polymer‐incorporated metal ion

Crosslinked acrylate resin were prepared by the radical polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (ADE400) with 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile in the presence of cobalt (II) chloride at 100°C for 48 h. Metallization behavior of the CoCl₂‐containing acrylate resin by reduction with aqueous sodium tetrahydroborate solution at 25°C was investigated by means of infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis. As a result, the surface of the crosslinked acrylate resin was successfully metallized by the reduction, and the cobalt layer generated at the side of a polypropylene plate used in the preparation of film was thicker and smoother than the air side. Most of the chlorine ion in the film passed in the reduction solution. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3864–3868, 2004     

Structural,electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline and polypyrrole

In this study, the structural, electrical, and electromagnetic properties of cotton fabrics coated with polyaniline (PAni) and polypyrrole (PPy) were investigated and compared. For the aims, anilin and pyrrole were used as monomers, and in situ polymerization on cotton fabric by chemical oxidative polymerization was performed. After production, the structural properties of the fabrics were determined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. In addition, ultraviolet (UV) permeability, tensile strength, colorfastness, and electrical and electromagnetic measurements of the fabric samples were carried out. The resistance values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni and PPy were found to be 350 and 512 Ω, respectively. The average electromagnetic shielding efficiency and average absorption values of the cotton fabrics coated with PAni were determined to be 3.8 dB and 48%, respectively, and these values for the cotton fabrics coated with PPy were 6 dB and 50%, respectively. Consequently, a significant difference was not observed between the resistance values and electromagnetic parameters of the fabrics coated with PAni and PPy, although the intact textile characteristics of the fabric coated with PPy were protected and improved, whereas the characteristics of the fabric coated with PAni were inferior. Moreover, we first report that the fabrics coated with conductive polymers had excellent UV‐protection properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Telechelic siloxanes with hydrogen‐bonded polymerizable end‐groups. II. IR studies of end‐groups interactions—Model amides and ureas

Hydrogen‐bonding phenomena in amides and ureas are of great practical and theoretical importance. In this article, we report on infrared temperature studies aimed at the elucidation of the hydrogen‐bonding phenomena of (meth)acrylamide groups directly linked to the alkyl groups of telechelic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) which serve as models of monoamides, or linked to the alkyl groups of telechelic PDMS through amide spacers‐models of diamides (dipeptides). Similarly, we have examined the hydrogen‐bonding phenomena in urea‐terminated telechelic PDMSs to which free‐radically polymerizable groups (methacrylate, α‐methylstyryl) are attached. Hydrogen bonding in the derivatives of these substituted silicone amides and ureas in the unreacted (liquid) state has been studied, as well as in films formed via ultraviolet‐initiated free‐radical polymerization of those reactive end‐groups. The extreme flexibility of the silicones provides a medium in which polar, hydrogen‐bonding end‐groups (amides, diamides, and ureas) phase‐separate to form their own domains wherein they can freely aggregate in an essentially unperturbed state, when in the liquid form. When the vinyl end‐groups are polymerized, interactions between the hydrogen bonding groups attached to them can be studied in a spatially constrained environment. High thermal stability of the silicones allows the study of the hydrogen bonding (H‐bonding) phenomena of these models within a broad temperature range. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Surface modification of polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses with the mixture of acrylic acid and acrylamide via plasma‐induced graft copolymerization

An approach is presented for the graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AAc) and acrylamide (AAm) mixture onto the surfaces of polymethyl methacrylate intraocular lenses (PMMA IOLs) treated with an Argon gas plasma, followed by the exposure to the oxygen atmosphere. In this case, peroxides formed by the plasma treatment are likely to be responsible for initiating the graft copolymerization. The amount of peroxides on the surface of PMMA IOLs was determined using 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl, and the maximum amount was found with the plasma treatment at 30 W for 20 s under 5 mTorr pressure. The surfaces of the grafted PMMA IOLs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy‐attenuated total reflectance (FTIR‐ATR), electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and contact angle meter. The FTIR‐ATR spectrum of PMMA‐g‐AAc‐AAm showed the characteristic band of PAAc at 1580 cm^?1 together with those of PAAm at 1670 and 1630 cm^?1, confirming that the copolymer of AAc and AAm was successfully grafted onto the surfaces of PMMA IOLs. The experimental data of O1s/C1s and N1s/C1s reasonably concurred with the calculated data, a strong indication that the pH value of the reaction medium at 3.77 could produce a graft with an equal molar ratio. Surface tension of the samples increased to 52 dyn/cm due to the graft of the hydrophilic monomers. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 2361–2366, 2002     

Surface of cellulosic materials modified with functionalized polyethylene coupling agents

The interfacial adhesion between a wood fiber and a plastic matrix strongly influences the performance of wood‐fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composites. Fiber surface modification with coupling agents is generally needed to induce bond formation between the fiber and polymer matrix. This study investigated the chemical reactions between cellulosic materials and functionalized polyethylene coupling agents. Both wood flour and cotton cellulose powder were treated with acrylic acid‐functionalized polyethylene and maleic anhydride‐functionalized polyethylene (maleated polyethylene) for surface modifications, and chemical changes resulting from these treatments were followed by a study of the Fourier transform infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra. Variations in the band intensities, oxygen‐to‐carbon ratios, and concentrations of unoxidized carbon atoms were related to changes that occurred on the surfaces of modified cellulosic materials. The experimental results indicated that chemical bonds between the hydroxyl groups of the cellulosic materials and the functional groups of the coupling agents occurred through esterification reactions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 88: 278–286, 2003     

Surface modification using self‐assembled layers of amphiphilic cyclodextrins

In this study six amphiphilic cyclodextrin derivatives were prepared by esterification and used to coat five industrial products made from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyurethane using a new, patented coating technology. This simple approach, which consists merely of dipping the material to be coated into a suspension of a given cyclodextrin derivative in an ethanol/water solution, was used to functionalize support materials with a coat that is stable in aqueous solutions and which renders the coated materials hydrophilic. The functionalization proved to be controllable in terms of amount of cyclodextrin on the surface and can be implemented in existing production lines without investment in advanced production equipment. It is hypothesized that the cyclodextrins order themselves in structured layers forming channel‐like structures preserving the very large potential for uptake and release of active compounds that is known to cyclodextrins. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41047.     

Effect of nitrogen and oxygen incorporated into TMSAA plasma coating on surface‐bound heparin activity

To investigate the influence of nitrogen and oxygen incorporated into N‐trimethylsilylallyamine (TMSAA) plasma coating on heparin binding to the surfaces, four types of monomer combinations were utilized. Those combinations include TMSAA alone, TMSAA mixed with nitrogen (TMSAA + N₂), with air (TMSAA + air), and with oxygen (TMSAA + O₂). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to study the coating of the bulk structure. The thickness and surface morphology of the coatings were measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and the contact angle were used to investigate the surface elemental composition and hydrophilicity, respectively. It was found that the incorporation of oxygen into the coating formation significantly increased the deposition rate of the TMSAA + O₂ coating, but the heparin activity was the least even though it made the coating surface more hydrophilic. This is considered to have resulted from the loss of nitrogen in the coating structure due to the oxygen replacement to nitrogen. The nitrogen incorporated into the coating had no noticeable effect on the heparin surface‐binding ability. The TMSAA + air plasma grafting process exhibited the best heparin attachment to the surface, which could be largely attributed to its highest surface roughness, although the nitrogen composition was decreased to some extent compared to the pure TMSAA plasma coating. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1875–1883, 2003     

Surface‐modified polysulfone membranes: Aqueous phase oxidation via persulfate radical

Polysulfone (Udel P1800) ultrafiltration membranes were surface modified using potassium persulfate (K₂S₂O₈) as a free radical source in the aqueous phase. The expected modification was hydrogen abstraction leading to hydroxylation at one or two sites on the isopropylidene linkage. Reaction time, K₂S₂O₈ concentration, and temperature were optimized based on two criteria: (1) minimal change in pure water fluxes after surface modification and (2) reduction of adsorptive fouling with a pulp mill effluent. The pure water flux retention for an unmodified membrane was ～20% after adsorptive fouling with the pulp mill effluent and was increased to 70% after reaction with K₂S₂O₈. Angle‐resolved XPS indicated increased oxygen and a new carbon peak consistent with an aldehyde reaction occurring in the top 3.5 nm. NMR solution analysis was inconclusive because of the low sensitivity of the experiment. Further analysis of oxidation products was carried out on finely dispersed polymer. Fourier transform infrared, internal reflection spectroscopy suggested oxidation by the formation of an aldehyde which was further oxidized to carboxylic acid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 101: 1723–1730, 2006     

Polymeric gadolinium chelate–containing magnetic resonance signal‐enhancing coating materials: Synthesis,characterization, and properties

The present investigation deals with studies on novel magnetic resonance signal‐enhancing coating materials. The polyaminocarboxylate complexes of Gd³⁺ as side chains were prepared by the conjugation of N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) with poly(styrene‐maleic acid) copolymer (SMA). The complexation of the Gd³⁺ ion to the conjugates was carried out by adding GdCl₃ to the solution of the polymer ligands. The resulting Gd³⁺‐containing polymer complexes were characterized by GPC, FTIR, NMR, and inductively coupled plasma–Auger electron spectroscopy, which confirmed that HEDTA was covalently attached to SMA and Gd³⁺‐containing polymer complexes were formed. The PP catheters were coated with the Gd³⁺‐containing polymer complexes and characterized by XPS. The result confirms that the Gd³⁺ complexes were coated on the surface of PP catheters. In the relaxation test, the relaxation rates of the water proton in the vicinity of the coated PP catheter surface increase significantly, suggesting that Gd³⁺‐containing polymer complex coating materials show great MR enhancement of water proton, and potentialities in making catheters used for endovascular interventions or therapy, visible by MRI. The influence of protein on the relaxation rates of coated PP catheter shows that the protein adsorption on the catheter surface influences the enhancement of the MR signal for the coating materials of Gd³⁺‐containing polymer complex. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1358–1364, 2003     

Incorporation of azobenzene chromophore into poly(amide‐imide)

Poly(amide‐imide)s (PAI) bearing azobenzene chromophore groups were prepared by allowing a hydroxyl‐containing azobenzene dye (Disperse Red 1) to react with and reactive‐terminated PAI with weight–average molecular weights ranging from ～ 1.2 to 2.0 × 10⁴ g/mol. Such PAI were prepared by the condensation of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and 4,4′‐methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The final polymers presented a deep red color, with an absorption maxima in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) solution at 490 nm, close to the azobenzene reactant used (Disperse Red 1) and molecular weights slightly higher than the pristine polymer, showing that the azo chromophore incorporation reaction does not lead to side reactions. The azofunctionalized polymer presented a high T_g value (170°C) that could be increased by a thermal curing process to 240°C. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 841–847, 2007     

Studies of sulfonated polyethylene for biliary stent application

Palliative treatment for obstructive jaundice by endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a recent commonly used method. Unfortunately, stent reobstruction may occur within 3 to 6 months as a result of bacterial adhesion and formation of biofilm. Bacterial adhesion was postulated as the initial step of stent clogging and the bacterial enzyme activity of β‐glucuronidase led to the deposition of calcium bilirubinate. In this study, surface sulfonation of the polyethylene lumen was postulated to improve the patency of the biliary stent. Surface modification with sulfonated group formation was carried out with fuming sulfuric acid containing 20 wt % sulfuric trioxide (SO₃). The reaction time varied from 1 to 3 h at room temperature. ATR‐FTIR and ESCA techniques showed that the surface amount of sulfonated functionalities increased with sulfonation time. The contact angle of the sulfonated PE, determined by the sessile drop technique, decreased compared to that of unmodified PE, but cannot be detected by the captive bubble method because of the high surface hydrophilicity. SEM micrographs indicated that the sulfonated PE inner lumen remained relatively smooth after extended sulfonation reaction. Adhesion of Escherichia coli to the sulfonated PE stents after 48‐h bile perfusion was about 10‐ to 20‐fold less than that to the unmodified PE, as observed by SEM and surface spreading method. These results indicated that the surface sulfonated groups could effectively decrease the adhesion of E. coli in human bile, probably attributable to the hydrophilic repellence between the bacterial cell membrane and sulfonated groups. This finding suggested that the sulfonated PE tubing could prolong the patency period of plastic stents and may be of great potential as a biliary stent in a real clinical setting. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 2450–2457, 2004     

Antimicrobial silica and sand particles functionalized with an N‐halamine acrylamidesiloxane copolymer

The monomer 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl‐1‐(5‐methylhydantoinyl)propane (HA) was copolymerized with 3‐(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate (SL) and covalently attached onto silica gel and sand particles. As a result HASL copolymer‐grafted silica gel and sand particles (HASL SGPs and SPs) were obtained. These two types of HASL SGPs and SPs provided excellent biocidal efficacy against Gram positive S. aureus and Gram negative E. coli O157:H7 bacteria when the copolymer‐grafted particles were exposed to dilute sodium hypochlorite (household bleach) solution. In a flowing water application, seven logs of bacteria were inactivated within 10 s of contact time with the particles packed into a column. The treated particles also exhibited good washing and storage stabilities. The chlorine loss during extensive flow could be recovered by further exposure to dilute bleach solution. The antimicrobial particles have potential application for use in inexpensive disinfecting water filters for slow water flows. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43413.     

Polyethylene‐supported N‐bromosuccinimide polymeric reagent for use in some oxidation reactions

We report a three‐step preparation of a polymer‐supported oxidizing reagent, polyethylene‐g‐N‐bromosuccinimide (PE‐g‐NBS), through the graft copolymerization of maleic anhydride (MAn) onto polyethylene (PE) by a photochemical method with 1% benzophenone as a photosensitizer. The postgrafting treatment of polyethylene‐g‐maleic anhydride (PE‐g‐MAn) with urea on fusion gives polyethylene‐g‐succinimide (PE‐g‐succinimide), which, on further treatment with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide and bromine, gives the required reagent, PE‐g‐NBS. The maximum percentage grafting (25%) was obtained with 3.57 mol of MAn and 0.5 mL of 1% benzophenone in 120 min. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis methods were used to characterize the graft copolymer PE‐g‐MAn, PE‐g‐succinimide, and the polymeric support, that is, PE‐g‐NBS. The grafted PE and the polymeric support were found to be thermally stable. The polymer‐supported N‐bromosuccinimide was used successfully for the efficient oxidation of a series of alcohols, including 2‐propanol, n‐butanol, ethylene glycol, cyclohexanol, poly(vinyl alcohol), benzoin, benzyl alcohol, and chloromycetin, to their corresponding aldehydes and ketones. The selectivity of PE‐g‐NBS toward the oxidation of secondary alcoholic groups without the disturbance of the primary alcoholic groups was reflected during the oxidation of chloromycetin. The oxidized products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared and ¹H‐NMR spectral methods. The reagent was reused for the oxidation of fresh alcohols, and it was found to oxidize them successfully, although with a little lower product yield. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Metallization of UV‐cured acrylate resins by reduction of polymer‐incorporated cobalt ion

The surface of UV‐cured films of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGAc)/tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate (THFAc) (weight ratio 100/0, 90/10, and 80/20) was metallized by the reduction of polymer‐incorporated cobalt chloride with aqueous sodium borohydride at 20°C. The electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement revealed that the cobalt ion, which was homogeneously distributed in the inner part of the film before reduction, migrated to both sides of the film, and then reduced to pure metal by the reduction treatment. The surface resistance of the UV‐cured PEGAc/THFAc film increased with increasing THFAc content. Especially, the trend was prominent at the glass side of the metallized films. The glass transition temperature of the cured resin measured by dynamic viscoelastic analysis slightly rose with an increase of THFAc content. The EPMA map of cobalt and carbon in the depth direction of the metallized film showed that the cobalt layer, generated at the glass side of the film with a higher THFAc content, contains more polymer component, in agreement with the order of surface resistance. The X‐ray diffraction analysis of the reduced films revealed that the degree of crystallinity of the generated cobalt was low. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 1627–1632, 2006     

Surface modification of textiles by glow discharge technique: Part II: Low frequency plasma treatment of wool fabrics with acrylic acid

In this study, wool fibers are modified by low frequency plasma polymerization of acrylic acid regarding to its' hydrophobic character due to cuticular cells at their surfaces. Variables of the plasma glow discharge processes were power (40–100 W) and exposure time (5–45 min). The effect of plasma modification in the performance properties of wool were investigated on the basis of hydrophilicity of wool, average wrinkle recovery angle, and breaking strength. The surface chemical structures of fabrics were examined with x‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrophobic wool fabric became hydrophilic after all plasma treatments except one (40W–5 min). Average wrinkle recovery angle of the treated fabrics were between 157 and 178°, while that of untreated fabric was 180°. The treated fabrics had a little bit lower angles according to the untreated fabric. However, even the lowest value as 157° means that the fabric has a good crease resistance property. The breaking strengths of fabrics were increased up to 26% after the plasma treatments. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Characterization of air plasma‐treated polymer surfaces by ESCA and contact angle measurements for optimization of surface stability and cell growth

A radiofrequency air plasma has been used to incorporate new functionalities at the surface of cycloolefin polymers (Zeonex® and Topas®), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), and polystyrene (PS). The main goals with the plasma treatment of the different plastics were to hydrophilize the surfaces and to provide good cell culture properties. Surfaces treated at high RF power/gas flow ratios (50 to 100 W/sccm) became highly hydrophilic (water contact angles of about 5 degrees) and stable towards washing in 70% (v/v) ethanol. Those treated at lower power/gas flow ratios (3 to 10 W/sccm) were less hydrophilic and not wash‐stable. Cell growth properties of HeLa cervix carcinoma cells as good as on commercial tissue‐culture polystyrene could be obtained for Zeonex, SAN, and PS, treated at relatively low RF power/gas flow ratios. However, no untreated plastics were suitable for culturing these cells. XPS spectra features show that ester, ether/alcohol, and ester/carboxyl groups are formed during the plasma treatments of the different plastics. Measurable amounts of carboxylic acid carbon after plasma treatment were only observed for PS and Topas. Furthermore, at high RF power/gas flow ratios fluorine, aluminium and silicon were incorporated in all investigated plastics surfaces due to ablation–deposition processes in the reaction chamber. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 2618–2625, 2002