Low-Pressure Plasma Methods for Generating Non-Reactive Hydrophilic and Hydrogel-Like Bio-Interface Coatings - A Review

This review surveys low-pressure plasma-based methods for producing hydrophilic and hydrogel-like bio-interface coatings without reactive functional groups in aqueous media. The main focus of the review is one-step plasma polymerization; other plasma-based methods such as plasma with grafting are also discussed within the context of monomers used, process development, ageing properties, and interaction of these coatings with proteins and cells. Coatings containing polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyethylene oxide (PEO), acrylamides such as N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), and sulfonate (SO3) or sulfate (SO4) moieties are reviewed here.