Extreme Ultraviolet Surface Modification of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) for Surface Structuring and Wettability Control.

The surface modification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer films has been performed by irradiation of extreme ultraviolet photons to investigate the effect of surface structuring on wettability control. For biomedical engineering applications, surface structuring and wettability control of PET films could enhance the polymer biocompatibility by promoting cell adhesion and consequently proliferation. The PET films are irradiated with laser plasma extreme ultraviolet source based on double stream gas puff target under different environments. The extreme ultraviolet modified PET film surfaces are characterized by atomic force microscopy and WCA goniometer. The extreme ultraviolet surface modification resulted in the formation of nano- and microstructuring on the polymer surfaces. The surface structuring consequently increased WCA making the PET surfaces more hydrophobic. The results demonstrate the direct relationship between surface roughness and hydrophobicity for extreme ultraviolet modified PET samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]