Surface functionalization and pPatterning techniques to design interfaces for biomedical and biosensor applications

In this paper, we present a review of our research activity related to the use of plasma deposition and etching technologies for the production of functional polymers (protein affinity and anti-fouling) and their application to the fabrication chemical contrasts at micro and sub micron scale. Plasma deposition processes of acrylic acid (ppAA) and PEO-like films to obtain functionalized surfaces are illustrated, together with optical lithography and colloidal lithography techniques used for micro and nanoscale patterning. In particular, microstructure based upon a combination of pulsed plasma polymerized acrylic acid (with carboxyl retention up to 15%) and cell repulsive PEO-like character (C-O content higher than 70%) have been realized and characterized by XPS and TOF-SIMS. Furthermore, colloidal lithography is used for fabrication of sub-micron (100 nm diameter) ppAA functionalized nanostructures and protein adsorption and cell growth experiments are described, demonstrating the reliability of plasma polymers for micro and nanobiotechnology applications.