Chemical changes of polymeric surfaces after modification with multi-source cluster deposition.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Previous work established a multi-source cluster deposition apparatus for polymer surface modification.
• The apparatus utilizes ammonium sulfamate as a reactant and energetic Ar(+) ions as an activator.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze chemical changes on polymer surfaces after modification.
• To investigate the relationship between chemical changes, contact angle, and platelet adhesion.

Main Methods:

• Polymer films were irradiated with Ar(+) ions during bombardment with ammonium sulfamate clusters.
• Modified surfaces were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for elemental composition and binding states.
• Contact angle measurements and platelet adhesion tests with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were performed.

Main Results:

• Polysulfone surface modification decreased the water contact angle from 82.6 to 34.5 degrees.
• Platelet adhesion was reduced to one-tenth of the original surface.
• Formation of ammonium, amine, sulfate, and thiophene groups, including N-sulfate, was observed.

Conclusions:

• The Ar(+) ion-assisted ammonium sulfamate process successfully modifies polysulfone surfaces.
• The formation of polar groups contributes to reduced surface energy and improved biocompatibility.
• This solvent-free, topography-preserving method shows promise for broad polymer modification applications.