Abstract
AbstractThin films of PEO‐like plasma polymers with different extent of cross‐linking were deposited by plasma‐assisted vacuum thermal depolymerization of PEO. The films underwent considerable volume changes when in contact with water, i.e., they behaved as hydrogels. A Flory–Rehner theory of gels corrected for non‐Gaussian chain distribution was applied to derive the average molar mass between cross‐links. Films with up to ten monomeric units between cross‐links were fabricated, this number decreasing to one at enhanced rf power. Such changes of structure resulted in a three‐orders‐of‐magnitude increase of Young's modulus. Even highly cross‐linked films did not adsorb fibrinogen unless the concentration of the ether groups dropped below 65%.magnified image
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
