Active screen plasma surface modification of polycaprolactone to improve cell attachment.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a versatile biomaterial, but its surface properties often require modification for optimal performance in biomedical applications.
• Tailoring PCL surfaces is crucial for enhancing cell interactions and ensuring biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) in modifying PCL surface properties.
• To evaluate the impact of ASPN on PCL's chemical composition, wettability, biocompatibility, and degradability for biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Surface modification of PCL films using the active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) technique.
• Characterization via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
• Assessment of wettability (contact angle, surface energy), in vitro biocompatibility (osteoblast-like cells), and enzymatic degradability (lipase).

Main Results:

• ASPN effectively altered PCL surface chemistry, notably exchanging carboxyl groups for hydroxyl groups.
• Surface modification significantly improved osteoblast cell adhesion and spreading on PCL.
• Increased surface wettability and the generation of hydroxyl groups were observed post-ASPN treatment.
• ASPN-treated PCL exhibited a slower enzymatic degradation rate compared to untreated PCL.

Conclusions:

• Active screen plasma nitriding is a practical and effective method for enhancing the biocompatibility of PCL surfaces.
• The improved cell adhesion is attributed to increased wettability and the formation of hydroxyl groups.
• ASPN treatment offers a method to tune PCL's degradation profile for specific biomedical needs.