Polyimide surface modification by RF plasma for biocide attachment (Retracted article. See vol. 21, pg. 459, 2016)
Year: 2016
Journal: Int. J. Polym. Anal. Charact.
Authors: Barzic, AI; Popovici, D; Hulubei, C; Stoica, I; Aflori, M; Dunca, S
A polyimide containing alicyclic sequences was synthesized by a two-step solution polycondensation reaction, and the film's properties were characterized in order to assess its suitability as antibacterial material. The sample was subjected to RF plasma treatment to facilitate silver-based biocide attachment on the film surface. Surface properties of the prepared polyimide film were investigated by FT-IR, contact angle, and atomic force microscopy measurements, before and after the treatments with plasma and plasma/silver-based biocide. Antibacterial tests showed that the polyimide films inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922. The differences in biocidal activity are discussed in terms of sample and bacteria hydrophobic/hydrophilic interactions.
