Surface modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) by direct plasma-radiation-induced graft polymerization of N-hydroxyethyl-acrylamide

Abstract A new type of cell-carrier-scaffold based on the surface modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate- co -3-hydroxyvalerate) by direct plasma-radiation-induced graft polymerization of N-hydroxyethyl-acrylamide was prepared. Parameters such as the membrane position for plasma treatment, delivering power and exposure time were varied. The yields over the film surfaces, chemical changes, morphology and roughness were surveyed. The results indicate that the tailoring is more favorable at 10 W for 10 minutes because at lower values, low degrees of grafting are obtained, whereas at higher values, there is an increase in the degradation of the film. It was found that the use of 30% v/v of HEAA/ethanol (etching agent) led to the formation of a coral-like structure with a greater average roughness than the pristine biomaterial. Hydrophilicity was slightly increased in the modified surface.