Surface Structures and Osteoblast Activity on Biomedical Polytetrafluoroethylene Treated by Long-Pulse, High-Frequency Oxygen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a biologically safe polymer used widely in clinical medicine including oral and orthopedic surgery. However, the high bio-inertness of PTFE has hampered wider applications in the biomedical fields. In this work, we extend the treatment time in long-pulse, high-frequency oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation of PTFE and a more superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 160° is created. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the optimized long-pulse, high-frequency oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation process induces a rougher surface and to a lesser extent alters the surface oxygen concentration on the PTFE. Our data, especially long-term contact angles, suggest that the superhydrophobility stems from surface roughness alteration. Furthermore, the activity of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts cultured on the treated surfaces is promoted in terms of quantities and morphology. © 2010 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA.