Plasma-Treated Polymeric Biomaterials for Improved Surface and Cell Adhesion

TL;DR

This review discusses how low-temperature plasma treatment modifies polymer surfaces to enhance cell adhesion, wettability, and biocompatibility, supporting advances in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of plasma-induced surface modifications on polymers, detailing mechanisms, techniques, and potential biomedical applications.

Findings

Plasma treatment improves cell spreading and proliferation on polymers.

Surface hydrophilicity and functional groups are enhanced by plasma exposure.

Plasma-functionalized biomaterials are promising for regenerative medicine applications.

Abstract

Surface modification of polymeric biomaterials using plasma has emerged as an effective strategy to optimize the cell-material interface without compromising the structural properties of the material. This work presents a critical review of the impact of low-temperature plasma treatment on enhancing cell adhesion, with emphasis on the physicochemical changes induced on the surface of polymers commonly used in biomedical applications. The mechanisms of interaction between reactive plasma species and the polymer surface are analyzed, along with techniques used to introduce hydrophilic functional groups that improve wettability and biocompatibility. Scientific evidence demonstrates that this type of surface modification promotes greater cell spreading, anchorage, and proliferation, making it particularly useful in the design of tissue engineering scaffolds, implantable devices, and vascular prostheses. Finally, current and future trends in the development of smart plasma-functionalized biomaterials are discussed, highlighting their role in regenerative medicine.