Surface analysis of long-distance oxygen plasma sterilized PTFE film

The influence of long-distance oxygen plasma sterilization on surface properties of substrate material, i.e., medical poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), and aging effect of these sterilized PTFE film surfaces were investigated by contact angle measurement, mass loss determination, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as bacterial adhesion and platelet adhesion measurements in vitro, respectively. The changes in chemical structure of sterilized PTFE film were followed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). As a result of plasma sterilization oxygen-containing functional groups (such as C=O and C=O), especially the C=O group are introduced into PTFE surfaces, and thus pronounced increases of surface free energy and surface wettability are presented when the sample positions are within 0-40 cm. The film surface wettability degrades little as the aging time continued as long as 190 days. At the same time, the minimal surface degradation and damage occur on the sterilized PTFE when the sample position is at 40 cm. Moreover, the antibacterial adhesion and blood compatibility of sterilized PTFE surface are enhanced and the optimal effects are also obtained at 40 cm. The essential reason may be due to the optimal equilibrium between surface wettability and surface damage, which is achieved at 40 cm. Overall, of the surface properties of long-distance oxygen plasma sterilized PTFE analyzed, the sterilization at 40 cm is optimal.