Application of Teflon-AF® thin films for bio-patterning of neural cell adhesion

Teflon AF(R), an amorphous copolymer of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) with 2,2-bis(triflouromethyl)-4,5-difluoro-1, 3-dioxole, has been receiving widespread attention in the opto-electronics industries and elsewhere for its superior optical and dielectric properties. The objective of the present study was to investigate surface parameters that may be required for the application of thin films of Teflon AF(R) in the fields of biomaterials and bioelectronics. Using standard microelectronics procedures, micro-patterned thin films of Teflon-AF(R) were fabricated, and their surface properties monitored and optimized with the aid of highly surface sensitive spectrometric techniques. Finally, their capability to inhibit or bio-pattern cell adhesion was tested with various neural cell lines. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.