Surface activation of Hastalex by vacuum argon plasma for cytocompatibility enhancement.

Here, we present surface analysis and biocompatibility evaluation of novel composite material based on graphene oxide traded as Hastalex. First, the surface morphology and elemental analysis of the pristine material were examined by atomic force and scanning electron microscopies, and by energy-dispersive and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies, respectively. The Hastalex surface was then modified by plasma (3 and 8 W with exposure times up to 240 s), the impact of which on the material surface wettability and morphology was further evaluated.

Plasma-Activated Polydimethylsiloxane Microstructured Pattern with Collagen for Improved Myoblast Cell Guidance.

We focused on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as a substrate for replication, micropatterning, and construction of biologically active surfaces. The novelty of this study is based on the combination of the argon plasma exposure of a micropatterned PDMS scaffold, where the plasma served as a strong tool for subsequent grafting of collagen coatings and their application as cell growth scaffolds, where the standard was significantly exceeded. As part of the scaffold design, templates with a patterned microstructure of different dimensions (50 × 50, 50 × 20, and 30 × 30 μm) were created by photolithography followed by pattern replication on a PDMS polymer substrate.

Replicated biopolymer pattern on PLLA-Ag basis with an excellent antibacterial response.

The design of functional micro or nanostructured surfaces is undergoing extensive research for their intriguing multifunctional properties and for large variety of potential applications in biomedical field (tissue engineering or cell adhesion), electronics, optics or microfluidics. Such nanosized topographies can be easily fabricated by various lithography techniques and can be also further reinforced by synergic effect by combining aforementioned structures along materials with already outstanding antibacterial properties. In this work we fabricated novel micro/nanostructured substrates using soft lithography replication method and subsequent thermal nanoimprint lithography method, creating nanostructured films based on poly (l-lactic acid) (PLLA) fortified by thin silver films deposited by PVD.

Mask-Assisted Deposition of Ti on Cyclic Olefin Copolymer Foil by Pulsed Laser Deposition.

Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is a novel type of thermoplastic polymer gaining the attention of the scientific community in electronic, optoelectronic, biomedicine and packaging applications. Despite the benefits in the use of COC such as undoubted optical transparency, chemical stability, a good water-vapor barrier and biocompatibility, its original hydrophobicity restricts its wider applicability and optimization of its performances. Presently, we report on the optical and morphological properties of the films of COC covered with Ti in selected areas.

Nanostructures on Fluoropolymer Nanotextile Prepared Using a High-Energy Excimer Laser.

This study is focused on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) porous nanotextile and its modification with thin, silver sputtered nanolayers, combined with a subsequent modification with an excimer laser. The KrF excimer laser was set to single-shot pulse mode. Subsequently, the physico chemical properties, morphology, surface chemistry, and wettability were determined.

High-Energy Excimer Annealing of Nanodiamond Layers.

Here, we aimed to achieve exposure of a nanodiamond layer to a high-energy excimer laser. The treatment was realized in high-vacuum conditions. The carbon, in the form of nanodiamonds (NDs), underwent high-temperature changes.

Biopolymer Honeycomb Microstructures: A Review.

In this review, we present a comprehensive summary of the formation of honeycomb microstructures and their applications, which include tissue engineering, antibacterial materials, replication processes or sensors. The history of the honeycomb pattern, the first experiments, which mostly involved the breath figure procedure and the improved phase separation, the most recent approach to honeycomb pattern formation, are described in detail. Subsequent surface modifications of the pattern, which involve physical and chemical modifications and further enhancement of the surface properties, are also introduced.

The Functionalization of a Honeycomb Polystyrene Pattern by Excimer Treatment in Liquid.

In this article, we present a unique combination of techniques focusing on the immobilization of noble metal nanoparticles into a honeycomb polystyrene pattern prepared with the improved phase-separation technique. The procedure consists of two main steps: the preparation of the honeycomb pattern (HCP) on a perfluoroethylenepropylene substrate (FEP), followed by an immobilization procedure realized by the honeycomb pattern's exposure to an excimer laser in a noble metal nanoparticle solution. The surface physico-chemical properties, mainly the surface morphology and chemistry, are characterized in detail in the study.

Compositional and Structural Modifications by Ion Beam in Graphene Oxide for Radiation Detection Studies.

In the present study, graphene oxide foils 10 μm thick have been irradiated in vacuum using same charge state (one charge state) ions, such as protons, helium and oxygen ions, at the same energies (3 MeV) and fluences (from 5 × 10 ion/cm to 5 × 10 ion/cm). The structural changes generated by the ion energy deposition and investigated by X-ray diffraction have suggested the generation of new phases, as reduced GO, GO quantum dots and graphitic nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, amorphous carbon and stacked-cup carbon nanofibers. Further analyses, based on Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry and Elastic Recoil Detection Analysis, have indicated a reduction of GO connected to the atomic number of implanted ions.

Carbon Transformation Induced by High Energy Excimer Treatment.

The main aim of this study was to describe the treatment of carbon sheet with a high-energy excimer laser. The excimer modification changed the surface chemistry and morphology of carbon. The appearance of specific carbon forms and modifications have been detected due to exposure to laser beam fluencies up to 8 J cm.

Mammalian Cell Interaction with Periodic Surface Nanostructures.

Here, we report on the nanopatterning of different aromatic polymer substrates achieved by KrF excimer laser treatment. The conditions for the construction of the laser-induced periodic surface structures, the so-called LIPSS pattern, were established by optimized laser fluence and a number of pulses. The polymer substrates were polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyethersulfone (PES), and polystyrene (PS), which were chosen since they are thermally, chemically, and mechanically resistant polymers with high absorption coefficients at the excimer laser wavelength.

KrF Laser and Plasma Exposure of PDMS-Carbon Composite and Its Antibacterial Properties.

A polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite with multi-walled carbon nanotubes was successfully prepared. Composite foils were treated with both plasma and excimer laser, and changes in their physicochemical properties were determined in detail. Mainly changes in surface chemistry, wettability, and morphology were determined.

Synthesis of Porous Polydimethylsiloxane Gold Nanoparticles Composites by a Single Step Laser Ablation Process.

Typically, polymeric composites containing nanoparticles are realized by incorporating pre-made nanoparticles into a polymer matrix by using blending solvent or by the reduction of metal salt dispersed in the polymeric matrix. Generally, the production of pre-made Au NPs occurs in liquids with two-step processes: producing the gold nanoparticles first and then adding them to the liquid polymer. A reproducible method to synthetize Au nanoparticles (NPs) into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) without any external reducing or stabilizing agent is a challenge.

Cytocompatibility of Polymethyl Methacrylate Honeycomb-like Pattern on Perfluorinated Polymer.

In this study, we present a simple approach for developing a biocompatible polymer scaffold with a honeycomb-like micropattern. We aimed to combine a plasma treatment of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) substrate with an improved phase separation technique. The plasma exposure served for modification of the polymer surface properties, such as roughness, surface chemistry, and wettability.

Influence of Drying Method and Argon Plasma Modification of Bacterial Nanocellulose on Keratinocyte Adhesion and Growth.

Due to its nanostructure, bacterial nanocellulose (BC) has several advantages over plant cellulose, but it exhibits weak cell adhesion. To overcome this drawback, we studied the drying method of BC and subsequent argon plasma modification (PM). BC hydrogels were prepared using the (ATCC 700178) bacteria strain.

Antimicrobial Properties of Palladium and Platinum Nanoparticles: A New Tool for Combating Food-Borne Pathogens.

Although some metallic nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used in the food processing plants as nanomaterials for food packaging, or as coatings on the food handling equipment, little is known about antimicrobial properties of palladium (PdNPs) and platinum (PtNPs) nanoparticles and their potential use in the food industry. In this study, common food-borne pathogens Infantis, , and were tested. Both NPs reduced viable cells with the log CFU reduction of 0.

Antibacterial Properties of a Honeycomb-like Pattern with Cellulose Acetate and Silver Nanoparticles.

This study involved the preparation and characterization of structures with a honeycomb-like pattern (HCP) formed using the phase separation method using a solution mixture of chloroform and methanol together with cellulose acetate. Fluorinated ethylene propylene modified by plasma treatment was used as a suitable substrate for the formation of the HCP structures. Further, we modified the HCP structures using silver sputtering (discontinuous Ag nanoparticles) or by adding Ag nanoparticles in PEG into the cellulose acetate solution.

Biopolymer Composites with Ti/Au Nanostructures and Their Antibacterial Properties.

In this study, we have aimed at the preparation and characterization of poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) composites with antibacterial properties. Thin bilayers of titanium and gold of various thickness ratios were deposited on PLLA by a cathode sputtering method; selected samples were subsequently thermally treated. The surface morphology of the prepared composites was studied by atomic force, scanning electron, and laser confocal microscopy.

PEGylated Gold Nanoparticles Grafted with N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine for Polymer Modification.

The subjects of this work were the enhancement and determination of the stability and other properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in an aqueous solution, gold nanoparticle immobilization, and further surface grafting on polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Gold nanoparticles in PEG with a subsequent water solution addition were prepared using cathode sputtering; for the subsequent surface activation, two different solutions were used: (i) sodium citrate dihydrate (TCD) and (ii) N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NALC). The aim of this work was to study the effect of the concentration of these solutions on AuNPs stability, and further, the effect of the concentration of gold nanoparticles and their morphology, and to describe the aging process of solutions, namely, the optical properties of samples over 28 days.

Cell Behavior of Primary Fibroblasts and Osteoblasts on Plasma-Treated Fluorinated Polymer Coated with Honeycomb Polystyrene.

The development of new biocompatible polymer substrates is still of interest to many research teams. We aimed to combine a plasma treatment of fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) substrate with a technique of improved phase separation. Plasma exposure served for substrate activation and modification of surface properties, such as roughness, chemistry, and wettability.

Antibacterial Properties of Plasma-Activated Perfluorinated Substrates with Silver Nanoclusters Deposition.

This article is focused on the evaluation of surface properties of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanotextile and a tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoro(alkoxy vinyl ether) (PFA) film and their surface activation with argon plasma treatment followed with silver nanoclusters deposition. Samples were subjected to plasma modification for a different time exposure, silver deposition for different time periods, or their combination. As an alternative approach, the foils were coated with poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and silver.

PLLA Honeycomb-Like Pattern on Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene as a Substrate for Fibroblast Growth.

In this study, we present the surface patterning of a biopolymer poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) for fibroblast growth enhancement. The patterning is based on a self-organized pore arrangement directly fabricated from a ternary system of a solvent-nonsolvent biopolymer. We successfully created a porous honeycomb-like pattern (HCP) on a thermally resistant polymer-fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP).

Nanostructured Polystyrene Doped with Acetylsalicylic Acid and Its Antibacterial Properties.

Homogeneous polystyrene foils doped with different concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid were prepared by the solvent casting method. The surface morphology and surface chemistry of as-prepared foils were characterized in detail. Excimer laser (krypton fluoride, a wavelength of 248 nm) was used for surface nanopatterning of doped polystyrene foils.

The effect of gold and silver nanoparticles, chitosan and their combinations on bacterial biofilms of food-borne pathogens.

The antimicrobial activity of gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs, AgNPs), chitosan (CS) and their combinations was established by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration for planktonic (MICPC) and biofilm growth (MICBC), for biofilm formation (MICBF), metabolic activity (MICBM) and reduction (MICBR), and for the metabolic activity of preformed biofilm (MICMPB). Biofilms were quantified in microtitre plates by crystal violet staining and metabolic activity was evaluated by the MTT assay. Chitosan effectively suppressed biofilm formation (0.