Enhanced biocompatibility of PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) polymer films by ion irradiation

PDMS films several microns thick deposited on polished Si wafers were irradiated with Mg, Ta, and Fe in the low energy range of 40 keV to 200 key, and for doses of 10(16)-10(18) ions/cm(2). After irradiation the films surface is self-organised into 3D coherent and semi-coherent domains. As a consequence of the surface irradiation conditions and the surface boundary conditions, some domains are highly ordered in the form of parallel waves of approximately 1 mu m in height, or the result can be semi-ordered regions or disordered regions. In addition, the surface energy of the irradiated polymer is increasing, as reflected in the decrease in its surface hydrophobicity, which is beneficial for cell adhesion. The irradiated samples were tested in vivo, and the results show an increase in viable cell count of up to 650%. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.