Micro-/Nanoscale Structuring of Cell-Culture Substrates with Fluorocarbon Plasmas

We describe the tailoring of polymer surfaces with CFx composition and roughness/density of different micro-/nanometric relieves (ribbons, petals, domes, dots) tuned independently in low pressure plasma deposition and etching processes. Similarity of outer chemical composition grants the comparison of cell culture results to analyze the impact of topographical features on cellular behavior. Such surfaces are of interest for biomedical substrates since tuning their surface composition and morphology can drive the behavior of cells in contact with them.