A glow discharge treatment to immobilize poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide) surfactants for wettable and non-fouling biomaterials

A non-fouling (protein resistant) polymer surface was achieved using an argon glow discharge treatment of a polyethylene surface which had been precoated with various poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(propylene oxide)/poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO-PPO-PEO) tri-block copolymer surfactants. The surfactant is first deposited on the polymer surface via a solvent swelling and evaporation method. Then the coated surfactant is immobilized on the substrate surface by an inert gas discharge treatment. ESCA and water contact angle () measurements on treated and solvent washed surfaces show significant increases in both surface O/C ratios and surface water wettability (0 < 30°) compared to LDPE control surfaces, revealing the presence of PEO on the treated surfaces. A great reduction of fibrinogen adsorption on the modified surfaces is also observed for the highest PEO content surfactants. This simple surface modification process may have wide applicability to obtain wettable polymer surfaces in general, and non-fouling biomaterial surfaces in specific.