Functionalization of Nonwoven Pet Fabrics by Water/O₂ Plasma for Biomolecule Mediated Cell Cultivation

Abstract

The main target of this study was to obtain COOH functionalities on the surface of 3D, nonwoven polyethylene terephthalate fabrics (NWPFs) by using low pressure water/O-2 plasma assisted treatment. The plasma treatments were performed in a cylindrical, capacitively coupled RF-plasma-reactor and then following steps were performed: in situ (oxalyl chloride vapors) gas/solid reaction to convert -OH functionalities into COCl groups; and hydrolysis under open laboratory conditions using air moisture for final-COOH functionalities. COOH and OH functionalities on the surfaces were detected quantitatively by fluorescent labeling techniques. The COOH-functionalized samples were biologically activated with insulin or heparin molecules by using spacer polyoxyethylene bis-amine (PEO). Successful immobilization was checked qualitatively using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). The average amount of immobilized insulin and heparin onto NWPF surfaces were determined as 146.09 and 4.81 nmol.cm(-2), respectively. Our results showed that water/O-2 plasma assisted treatment worked very well for functionalization and biofunctionalization of 3D NWPF disks comparing with wet-chemistry methods. Cell culture experiments indicated that functionalization of NWPF disks and/or nanotopographies on the disk surfaces were effective on adhesion and proliferation of L929 mouse fibroblasts.