The Effects of Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface Treatment by SO۲ Plasma on the Polymer Hemocompatibility

Polyethylene terephthalate polymer is a member of the polyester polymer family that has high mechanical and chemicalresistance. The use of artificial vessel prostheses made of polyethylene terephthalate with acceptable physical and biologicalcharacteristics is a suitable replacement for damaged vessels. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of modifyingthe surface of polyethylene terephthalate with SO۲ plasma on the hemocompatibility of the polymer.Polymer films wereexposed to SO۲ gas plasma. In order to evaluate surface chemistry changes, FTIR infrared spectroscopy test was performed.۳D imaging with atomic force microscope (AFM) was performed to examine the structural changes and MTT assay andplatelet adhesion tests were carried out to investigate the changes in cell activity and coagulation.The results of infraredspectroscopy in the sample treated by plasma with SO۲gas confirmed the presence of peaks related tothe symmetrical bondsof SO۲in SO۳ or SO۴ in the sample. AFM images showed the surface structure changes. The MTT assay test proved the nontoxicity of the SO۲gas plasma surface modification method. Adhesion and cell and platelet activity tests also showed theanti-clotting effect of the modified polymer.The use of plasma method with SO۲gas is a suitable method to modify thesurface and to increase blood compatibility of polyethylene terephthalate polymer, and probably can be used for makingartificial blood vessels.

Keywords:

Polyethylene Terephthalate , Surface Modification , SO۲Plasma , Hemocompatibility