The Effects of Radio-frequency Plasma Discharge on Surface Properties and Biocompatibility of Polycaprolactone Scaffolds

The study is aimed at the assessment of surface modification of bioresorbable polymeric material (polycaprolactone (PLC) by radio-frequency magnetron discharge plasma with hydroxyapatite target sputtering. Plasma surface modification increases its roughness, the surface free energy, hydrophilicity and enhances the growth of PCL crystallites. An increase in plasma exposure times (30, 60, 150 s) increases the saturation of the polymer surface with sputtering target ions (calcium, phosphorus). The effects of plasma exposure times on the behavior of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MMSCs) were assessed. Plasma modification of PCL stimulates the attachment and subsequent proliferation of MMSCs, thus a 60-second plasma exposure period is considered to be an optimal modification mode. This type of plasma modification does not affect cell viability (apoptosis, necrosis). Thus, the radio-frequency magnetron sputtering of a hydroxyapatite target appears to be a promosing method to modify bioresorbable polymer surfaces (PCL) in tissue engineering.