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Plasma Surface Modification of Chitosan Membranes: Characterization and Preliminary Cell Response Studies
Author(s) -
Silva Simone S.,
Luna Sandra M.,
Gomes Manuela E.,
Benesch Johan,
Pashkuleva Iva,
Mano João F.,
Reis Rui L.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.200700264
Subject(s) - contact angle , biocompatibility , chitosan , membrane , surface modification , surface energy , adhesion , materials science , wetting , chemical engineering , surface roughness , chemistry , tissue engineering , x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , polymer chemistry , biomedical engineering , composite material , organic chemistry , biochemistry , medicine , engineering
Abstract Surface modification of biomaterials is a way to tailor cell responses whilst retaining the bulk properties. In this work, chitosan membranes were prepared by solvent casting and treated with nitrogen or argon plasma at 20 W for 10–40 min. AFM indicated an increase in the surface roughness as a result of the ongoing etching process. XPS and contact angle measurements showed different surface elemental compositions and higher surface free energy. The MTS test and direct contact assays with an L929 fibroblast cell line indicated that the plasma treatment improved the cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, the results demonstrated that such plasma treatments could significantly improve the biocompatibility of chitosan membranes and thus improve their potential in wound dressings and tissue engineering applications.