Antimicrobial coatings obtained in an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier glow discharge

This paper addresses the development of plasma polymer coatings that should prevent bacteria from adhering to medical devices, implants, textile fibers, packaging materials, etc. The two main parameters affecting bacterial colonization onto surfaces are the surface energy and the surface roughness. Both parameters can be adjusted by the deposition of a thin plasma polymer coating in an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier glow discharge. According to SEM, FTIR, SPM, XPS and contact angle measurements, smooth, hydrophilic plasma polymer coatings were obtained under specific plasma conditions starting from 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and ethyl diazoacetate (EDA).