Macroscopic control of DMAHEMA and HEMA plasma polymerization to tune the surface mechanical properties of hydrogel‐like coatings

• Published in: Plasma processes and polymers Vol. 14; no. 10
• Main Authors: Veuillet, Mathieu, Ploux, Lydie, Airoudj, Aissam, Gourbeyre, Yannick, Gaudichet‐Maurin, Emmanuelle, Roucoules, Vincent
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.10.2017; Wiley-VCH Verlag
• Subjects: Chemical Sciences; hydrogel; Hydrogels; Infrared analysis; Mechanical properties; Modulus of elasticity; Nanoindentation; Plasma; plasma polymer; Plasmas (physics); Polymerization; Polymers; surface analysis; Wettability; surface analysis; plasma polymer; hydrogel; mechanical properties
• ISSN: 1612-8850; 1612-8869
• DOI: 10.1002/ppap.201600215

Macroscopic kinetics of DMAEMA and HEMA plasma polymerization have been investigated. Different regimes in the kinetics of growth have been identified and the resulting plasma polymer surfaces have been characterized by Infrared and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopies as well as by wettability analysis. Various hydrogel properties have been obtained leading to different surface mechanical properties. The values of Young's modulus estimated by AFM nanoindentation were found to be systematically high in the case of DMAEMA plasma polymerization (4–6 MPa). However, in the case of HEMA plasma polymerization, the Young's modulus values could be tune to 1 MPa up to 4.5 MPa. This result was even more remarkable as chemical composition of the corresponding surfaces was quasi‐identical. The DMAEMA and HEMA plasma polymerization have been investigated via a macroscopic kinetic approach. Different regimes in the kinetics of growth have been identified leading to different surface mechanical properties. Very interestingly, the Young's modulus values could be tune to 1 MPa up to 4.5 MPa during HEMA plasma polymerization without affecting the chemical composition of the surfaces.