This work investigates the properties of poly(ethylene oxide)-like plasma polymers prepared by amplitude-modulated AC surface dielectric barrier discharge at atmospheric pressure. The discharge was driven in argon with admixtures of di(ethylene glycol) vinyl ether and special attention was paid to optimization of the experimental parameters for fabrication of thin films with enhanced retention of ether structure.
Chemical composition of the plasma polymers was studied by XPS and FTIR whereas their non-fouling properties were tested in terms of adsorption of fibrinogen. Under investigated range of discharge conditions, plasma polymers with up to 70% retention of the poly(ethylene oxide) character and with non-fouling properties were obtained.