Relation between hydrophilicity and cell culturing on polystyrene petri dish modified by ion-assisted reaction

Polystyrene Petri dishes were modified by an ion-assisted reaction to suppl y a suitable surface for culturing cells. Wettability was measured by a con tact anglometer after surface modification of polystyrene. Contact angles o f water on the polystyrene were not reduced much by Ar+ ion irradiation onl y, but dropped rapidly to a minimum of 19 degrees, when polystyrene surface was modified by Ar+ ion irradiation with flowing oxygen gas. X-ray photoel ectron spectroscopy analyses showed that hydrophilic groups were formed on the surface of polystyrene by a chemical reaction between unstable chains i nduced by the ion irradiation and the blown oxygen gas. Newly formed hydrop hilic groups were identified as C-O, (C=O) and (C=O)-O- bonds. The influenc e of the ion beam modification in growth of the rat pheochromocytoma cells was investigated. The results showed exclusively preferential cell growth i n the polystyrene Petri dish that was treated by the ion-assisted reaction. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.