Functional Surface Properties by Plasma-Based Processes

Modification of Functional Surface Properties by Plasma-Based Processes 

Plasma surface processing is an effective and economical surface treatment technique for many materials and of growing interest in the biomedical field. One of the most important advantages of plasma surface modification is that the surface properties and biocompatibility can be modified selectively while the bulk characteristics of the materials remain unchanged. 

Plasma processes may have different actions on a surface, involving the addition, removal, or changes of the material. Accordingly, surface modification by plasma-based processes can be classified as follows  

All these processes generate a new surface, as schematically shown in Fig. 1, with a different morphology and surface chemistry, and consequently new physicochemical properties are to be expected. The competition between recombination—deposition of plasma species and the destructive action of plasma, i.e. sputtering, determine the prevalence of surface functionalization, film formation, or ablation processes. It is the mastering of the plasma action on the substrate which allows tailoring a surface towards a specific end. 

Surfaces with improved mechanical properties Joint prostheses 

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