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| This paper studies remote argon plasma sterilization to medical Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)(PTFE) film surface contaminated with E.coli and characterized surface structure, performances of PTFE film by the water contact angle, mass loss and platelet adhesion measurements as well as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results show that both remote and direct argon plasmas can sterilize effectively (GE ≥3.769) at the conditions of RF power 100W, exposure time 120s and argon flux 20 cm3/min. But the remote argon plasma sterilization contributes more effectively to the defluorination(F/C = 2.2425) from the PTFE film surface than that of the direct one contributes(F/C = 2.4853) and introduces more oxygen-containing groups (e. g. C=O) into it, makes this surface higher hydrophilicity and better antithrombogenicity while degradation and damages least, biocompatibility most excellent. Both the optimal inactivation and surface performances of PTFE film for use in medicine can be obtained simultaneously by remote argon plasma sterilization. The essential reason is that remote argon plasma sterilization can enhance interaction reactions with argon radicals relative to those with electron and argon ions. |
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| Keywords:Remote argon plasma, Sterilization, PTFE, Escherichia coli, Surface modification |
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