Plasma modification of cellulose derivatives as biomaterials

A film of cellulose acetate was submitted to a cold plasma of tetrafluoromethane or of sulfur hexafluoride. The interactions of these cold plasmas and cellulose acetate lead to a material whose surface has been modified by fluorination. Comparison of CF 4 or SF 6 plasma treatment shows that fluorine atoms provided by each kind of plasma induce degradation and grafting of fluorocarbon radicals on the surface. As a consequence, the surface energy decreases and offers the possibility of a better response of plasma‐modified cellulose derivatives used as biomaterials (e.g. hemodialysis membrane).