title: Through-thickness plasma modification of biodegradable and nonbiodegradable porous polymer constructs.
abstract: Pure poly(lactide-co-glycolide) and polystyrene surfaces are not very suitable to support cell adhesion/spreading owing to their hydrophobic nature and low surface energy. The interior surfaces of large porous 3D scaffolds were modified and activated using radio-frequency, low-pressure air plasma. An increase in the wettability of the surface was observed after exposure to air plasma, as indicated by the decrease in the contact angles of the wet porous system. The surface composition of the plasma-treated polymers was studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. pH-dependent zeta-potential measurements confirm the presence of an increased number of functional groups. However, the plasma-treated surfaces have a less acidic character than the original polymer surfaces as seen by a shift in their isoelectric point. Zeta-potential, as well as contact angle measurements, on 3D scaffolds confirm that plasma treatment is a useful tool to modify the surface properties throughout the interior of large scaffolds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Polymer and Composite Engineering (PaCE) Group, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Laleh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Safinia
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mantalaris
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bismarck
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017155:Wettability
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011137:Polystyrenes; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid