Top-down approach to attach liquid polyethylene glycol to solid surfaces by plasma interaction

A novel top-down approach is presented to produce stable functional films from low vapor pressure liquids via plasma processing. Low-pressure plasma activation and deposition are examined to cross-link liquid polyethylene glycol (PEG-400) surfaces. After stabilizing the thus-obtained films on the liquid with a silicone backing layer, water contact angle measurements, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy imaging were used for characterization. The results show that PEG molecules are covalently bonded to the solid films providing high hydrophilicity.