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Generation of antifouling layers on stainless steel surfaces by plasma‐enhanced crosslinking of polyethylene glycol
Author(s) -
Dong Baiyan,
Manolache Sorin,
Somers Eileen B.,
Lee Wong Amy C.,
Denes Ferencz S.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.21766
Subject(s) - polyethylene glycol , contact angle , materials science , peg ratio , scanning electron microscope , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , attenuated total reflection , chemical engineering , surface modification , biofouling , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , polyethylene , polymer chemistry , composite material , chemistry , membrane , biochemistry , finance , engineering , economics
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) structures were deposited onto stainless steel (SS) surfaces by spin coating and argon radio frequency (RF)‐plasma mediated crosslinking. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR) indicated the presence of CH 2 CH 2 O structure and CCC linkage, as a result of the plasma crosslinking, on PEG‐modified SS surfaces. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated complete deposition, and water contact angle analysis revealed higher hydrophilicity on PEG‐modified surfaces compared to unmodified SS surfaces. Surface morphology and roughness analysis by atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed smoother SS surfaces after PEG modification. The evaluation of antifouling ability of the PEG‐modified SS surfaces was carried out. Compared to the unmodified SS, PEG‐modified surfaces showed about 81–96% decrease in Listeria monocytogenes attachment and biofilm formation ( p < 0.05). This cold plasma mediated PEG crosslinking provided a promising technique to reduce bacterial contamination on surfaces encountered in food‐processing environments. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 485–497, 2005