Surface tailoring for poly(ester-urethane) scaffold via plasma radiation-induced graft polymerization of N-hydroxyethyl acrylamide

The synthesis of the poly(ester-urethanes) using poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) has gained increasing interest as scaffolds for use in tissue engineering despite their moderate hydrophobicity and biocompatibility. However, it is not yet known if the grafting of poly(N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide) is suitable to improve the degree of hydrophilicity of the surface. This study aims to tailor the surface of these biopolymers by plasma-induced graft polymerization of N‐hydroxyethyl acrylamide. The synthesized specimens are characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and contact angle measurements. The cell viability and cytotoxicity of the samples are assessed through MTT and live/dead viability/cytotoxicity kit assays with pancreatic islet cells. Our findings suggest that the plasma-induced surface grafting increase the roughness and the wettability, and also improve the cell viability of the starting substrate.