title: Plasma modification of PMMA films: surface free energy and cell-attachment studies.
abstract: The surface of a material is the most important part determining the acceptance by and compatibility with the environment. In many cases, although the bulk properties are excellent for a specific application, the surface may require to be modified and engineered in the desired direction. This is especially important for materials used in biological media, since the surface charge, hydophilicity and wettability are important for thrombosis formation, cell attachment or cell proliferation. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) films were prepared by solvent casting and their surfaces were modified by oxygen plasma treatment by applying powers of 20, 100 and 300 W. The effects of surface chemistry alterations on hydophilicity, work of adhesion, surface free energy and cell adhesion were examined. Cell attachment and proliferation are especially important for the materials used for tissue-engineering purposes. The results demonstrated that there is an optimum value for hydrophilicity and surface free energy which enhance cell attachment.
authors.affiliation: Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Chemistry Department, Ankara 06531, Turkey.
authors.forename: Canturk
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozcan
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hasirci
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D021982:Cell-Matrix Junctions / Q000528:radiation effects*; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; D008422:Materials Testing; D051379:Mice; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D008954:Models, Biological; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000528:radiation effects*; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D013499:Surface Properties / Q000528:radiation effects; D013816:Thermodynamics
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D007211:Indoles; C007293:DAPI; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate