EXCIMER LASER-INDUCED SURFACE MODIFICATIONS OF BIOCOMPATIBLE POLYMER BLENDS

As blending of synthetic polymers emerges as a promising route to nove l biomaterials, this work deals with thin films of highly-dispersed bi sphenol-h polycarbonate/poly(methyl methacrylate), PC/PMMA, blends for their potential applications in the biomedical field. Special attenti on is devoted to thr: understanding of the influence of excimer laser irradiation on the morphology and surface properties of the films. The physical and chemical modifications induced by the laser treatment of the polymers are related to the modifications of the adhesive respons e of mammalian cells in close contact with the polymer substrates, as a result of functionalization and morphology change of the surface.