PLASMA DEPOSITION OF THIN FLUOROCARBON FILMS FOR INCREASED MEMBRANE HEMOCOMPATIBILITY

The deposition of films from an argon plasma containing a mixture of e thylene oxide or hydrogen and perfluorohexane was tried to obtain very hydrophobic, less hydrophobic and intermediate coatings. This paper s tudies more extensively the deposition of a thin coating from a perflu orohexane and hydrogen plasma on polysulfone and polyhydroxybutyrate m embranes to optimize their surface properties without affecting their filtering properties. The plasma deposition of smooth and very hydroph obic fluorocarbon coatings seems to increase the bio- and hemocompatib ility of poorly biocompatible membranes. The treated substrates were c haracterized by measuring the mass variations, surface profilometry an d contact angle measurements, as well as scanning electron microscopy and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis.