Poly(ethylene oxide)-like Plasma Polymers Produced by Plasma-Assisted Vacuum Evaporation

Thermal decomposition of PEO under vacuum was used in combination with a glow discharge to deposit PEO-like plasma polymer films. Evaporation without plasma allows the deposition of films with chemical composition very close to that of the original PEO, albeit with a lower average of molar mass. The application of plasma during vacuum evaporation leads to enhancement of crosslinking within the films, yet at the expense of reduced retention of ether structure. Non-fouling properties and thrombogenicity of the plasma polymers were studied in terms of adhesion of blood proteins (albumin, immunoglobulin and fibrinogen) and promoting a thrombin induced fibrinogen/fibrin polymerization cascade.