Controlled amine functionalization and hydrophilicity of a poly(lactic acid) fabric

The surface of PLA fabric has been successfully modified by pulsed plasma polymerization of heptylamine (PPHA) giving increased hydrophilicity and achieving a sufficient level of primary amine functionality (3.5%) for practical application in biotechnology. This is the first report that the density of primary amine (-NH2) in PPHA, quantified by chemical derivatization, can be controlled by selection of pulsed plasma conditions. The duty cycle and the average RF power were the key parameters for achieving both a higher density of primary amine and increased hydrophilicity.