SIMPLE-MODEL FOR THE XPS ANALYSIS OF POLYSACCHARIDE-COATED SURFACES

A simple model mas developed for the interpretation of results stemmin g from the XPS analysis of polymer surfaces modified by polyethyleneim ine adsorption followed by surface coupling of polysaccharides. Theore tical surface compositions were evaluated from the calculated XPS inte nsity arising from a layered structure composed of a surface oxidized polymer, an intermediate polyethyleneimine layer and a top polysacchar ide layer. Results of calculations were compared to analytical data ob tained from fixed-angle XPS analysis of polysaccharide-coated surfaces and to the performances of the latter in in vitro fell adhesion exper iments. It is shown that the model can correctly predict the relations hip between the experimental surface composition and the cell-resistan t properties of polysaccharide-coated surfaces. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.