Surface Micropatterning of Polycarbonate

Welle et al obtained micropattern cell culture on the polycarbonate surface using deep UV irradiation [60]. After UV treatment, surfaces become hydrophilic and the adhesion of hepatocytes, fibroblasts and some other cell lines were strongly favored. Further analysis of the surface showed that at the irradiated polymer area unstable peroxides together with stable carboxylic groups were formed. Despite many advantages. 

As demonstrated above, polymer micropatterned with plasma or UV irradiation can be used without any further treatment for cell culture application. However, functional groups created at the modified surface can be subsequently used for the selective graft coupling of biomolecules, suitable for cell adhesion enhancement [62]. 

Currently, the most popular and widely used micropatterning technique is microcontact printing [63]. A PDMS stamp with designed microstructures can be used to print various types of molecules on the chosen material. An example of microcontact printing onto polycarbonate surface will be given in Section 3.7.3. 

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