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Insights into switchable thermoresponsive copolymer layers by atmospheric pressure plasma-initiated chemical vapour deposition

Year: 2020

Journal: Plasma Process. Polym., Volume 17, MAR

Authors: Moreno-Couranjou, Maryline; Loyer, Francois; Grysan, Patrick; Boscher, Nicolas D.; Choquet, Patrick

Keywords: hydrogels; plasma-initiated polymerization; pulsed discharges; quartz crystal microbalance (QCM); thermoresponsive copolymers

In this study, the upscalable, substrate-independent, and patterning characteristics of the atmospheric pressure plasma-initiated chemical vapour deposition technique are demonstrated for the synthesis of thermoresponsive copolymer layers from N-vinylcaprolactam (NVCL) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). An analytical multitool approach is exploited to gain insight into the chemical and mechanical surface properties of p(NVCL-co-EGDMA) layers and bovine serum albumin protein-surface interactions. Atomic force microscopy measurements carried out in both liquid and dehydrated conditions, reveal strong temperature-dependent stiffness changes. The swelling and dehydration processes of the layer, monitored by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D), are reversible and durable with a lower critical solution temperature estimated at around 27 degrees C. Finally, by combining QCM-D and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses, the switchable bovine serum albumin-biofouling surface properties, triggered by temperature changes, are demonstrated.