Development of antimicrobial coatings by atmospheric pressure plasma using a guanidine-based precursor.

Antimicrobial coatings deposited onto ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) films were investigated using an atmospheric pressure - plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (AP-PECVD) process. Varying concentrations of a guanidine-based liquid precursor, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine, were used, and different deposition conditions were studied. Attenuated total reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were used to study the chemical structure and elemental composition of the coatings.

Aerosol-assisted plasma deposition of hydrophobic polycations makes surfaces highly antimicrobial.

The currently used multistep chemical synthesis for making surfaces antimicrobial by attaching to them hydrophobic polycations is replaced herein by an aerosol-assisted plasma deposition procedure. To this end, N,N-hexyl,methyl-PEI (HMPEI) is directly plasma-coated onto a glass surface. The resultant immobilized HMPEI coating has been thoroughly characterized and shown to be robust, bactericidal against Escherichia coli, and virucidal against human influenza virus.

Modification of silicon carbide surfaces by atmospheric pressure plasma for composite applications.

In this study, we explore the use of atmospheric pressure plasmas for enhancing the adhesion of SiC surfaces using a urethane adhesive, as an alternative to grit-blasting. Surface analysis showed that He-O2 plasma treatments resulted in a hydrophilic surface mostly by producing SiOx. Four-point bending tests and bonding pull tests were carried out on control, grit-blasted, and plasma-treated surfaces.