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Surface Modification of Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Membranes Using Underwater Plasma Polymerization

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Abstract

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene membranes were modified and subsequently polymer coated using the underwater plasma produced by glow discharge electrolysis. This plasma pretreatment generated various O-functional groups among them OH groups have dominated. This modified inner (pore) surface of membranes showed complete wetting and strong adhesion to a hydrogel copolymerized by glow discharge electrolysis also. The deposited hydrogel consists of plasma polymerized acrylic acid crosslinked by copolymerization with the bifunctional N,N′-methylenebis(acrylamide). Tuning the hydrogel hydrophilicity and bio-compatibility poly(ethylene glycol) was chemically inserted into the copolymer. Such saturated polymer could only be inserted on a non-classic way by (partial) fragmentation and recombination thus demonstrating the exotic properties of the underwater plasma. The modification of membrane was achieved by squeezing the reactive plasma solution into the pores by plasma-induced shock waves and supported by intense stirring. The deposited copolymer hydrogel has filled all pores also in the inner of membrane as shown by scanning electron microscopy of cross-sections. The copolymer shows the characteristic units of acrylic acid and ethylene glycol as demonstrated by infrared spectroscopy. A minimum loss in carboxylic groups of acrylic acid during the plasma polymerization process was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Additional cell adhesion tests on copolymer coated polyethylene using IEC-6 cells demonstrated the bio-compatibility of the plasma-deposited hydrogel.

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Acknowledgments

Authors sincerely thank Dr. Ute Niebergall for making available hydraulic molding press machine for preparing porous membrane samples. Authors are obliged to receive cordial support from Dr. Wolfgang Unger for making available the SEM instrument. Also thanks are due to Mr. Frank Milczewski for his friendly support in laboratory work and Mrs. Gundula Hidde for XPS measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Global Technology Services, Clariant Chemicals India Ltd, Kolshet Road, Sandoz Baug, Thane, 400607, India

    Ranjit Joshi

  2. Division “Polymer Surfaces”, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany

    Jörg Friedrich

  3. Technical University Berlin, 10623, Berlin, Germany

    Jörg Friedrich

  4. Charité, Campus Benjamin Franklin, University Clinic-I, Tibor Diamantstein Haus, Humboldt University, Hindenburgdamm-30, 12203, Berlin, Germany

    Santosh Krishna-Subramanian

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  1. Ranjit Joshi
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  2. Jörg Friedrich
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  3. Santosh Krishna-Subramanian
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Correspondence to Jörg Friedrich.

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Joshi, R., Friedrich, J. & Krishna-Subramanian, S. Surface Modification of Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene Membranes Using Underwater Plasma Polymerization. Plasma Chem Plasma Process 33, 921–940 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-013-9476-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11090-013-9476-2

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