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Fluorohydrocarbon Plasma Functionalization of Polyurethane Surfaces: Bacterial Adhesion and Cell Response
Kamil Drożdż1, Paulina Chytrosz-Wróbel2, Divya Kumar3
1Department of Molecular Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, 31-121 Krakow, Poland.
Polymers
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Plasma fluorination of polyurethane (PU) surfaces increased hydrophobicity and roughness. This modification enhanced Escherichia coli adhesion but maintained mammalian cell viability, showing potential for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Microbiology
Background:
- Polyurethanes (PUs) are crucial in biomedical fields, but their surface properties influence bacterial colonization and cellular responses.
- Controlling surface characteristics is key to improving the performance of PU-based medical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of low-pressure C3H2F4 plasma treatment on medical-grade PU films.
- To evaluate changes in surface chemistry, wettability, topography, bacterial adhesion, and cell compatibility.
Main Methods:
- Medical-grade PU films were treated with C3H2F4 plasma.
- Surface analysis included X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angle measurements, and atomic force microscopy (AFM).
- Bacterial adhesion assays (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, P. aeruginosa, E. coli) and mammalian cell (A549) biocompatibility studies were performed.
Main Results:
- Plasma treatment introduced fluorine-containing groups, increased hydrophobicity (water contact angle), and enhanced nanoscale surface roughness.
- Bacterial adhesion was strain-dependent; E. coli adhesion significantly increased on fluorinated PU surfaces.
- Mammalian cell studies showed no cytotoxicity, with comparable cell spreading area but altered cell morphology (reduced major axis length and focal adhesion area).
Conclusions:
- C3H2F4 plasma fluorination modifies PU surface properties, increasing hydrophobicity and roughness.
- The modification enhances E. coli colonization while preserving mammalian cell viability, indicating potential for specific biomedical applications.
- Surface alterations induce moderate changes in cell morphology without compromising biocompatibility.
