DOI: 10.1515/cdbme-2026-0242 ISSN: 2364-5504
Effect of Various Gases for Plasma-Induced Surface Modifications of sPES for In Vitro Cell Culture Applications
Michael Teske, Volkmar Senz, Niels Grabow, Steffen Mitzner, Haitham Salti, Anne Schölzel, Jacqueline HeskampAbstract
Sulfonated polyethersulfone (sPES) membranes exhibit poor microglial adhesion due to low surface energy (total: 67 mJ/m²; polar: 20 mJ/m²). Plasma treatment (Ar, NH₃, O₂, CO₂) enhanced surface energy without altering morphology (except O₂-induced oxidation), with NH₃ and O₂ plasma elevating the polar component to 30 mJ/m². This directly correlated with higher HMC3 microglial cell density and improved adhesion stability under shear stress (300 rpm). Results confirm polar surface energy dominates cell adhesion on sPES, outweighing topographical effects, establishing NH₃/O₂ plasma as potential suitable microglial culture platforms.