Bulk and surface modification of silicone rubber for biomedical applications

Attempts have been made to modify the surface and bulk properties of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymers to improve their properties for biomedical applications. Laser-induced surface grafting of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and a sequential method for preparation of interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) of PDMS/PHEMA were used for surface and bulk modifications, respectively. A major difference between these two methods and other modification techniques is their unique potentiality to modify a specific section of a polymeric sample. The modified PDMS samples have been studied by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, water contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA), and platelet adhesion measurement. (C) 2002 Society of Chemical Industry.