Methods for atmospheric pressure plasma modification of chitosan surface to improve biocompatibility

Abstract This paper presents the optimal mode of plasma treatment of chitosan films to increase the proliferative activity of dermal fibroblasts and osteoblasts. For plasma modification of films, a dielectric barrier discharge in a flat electrode system and a plasma jet configuration at atmospheric pressure were used. The structural and chemical changes of chitosan were investigated using atomic force microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and contact angle measurement. The optimal time for plasma treatment was determined using an in vitro test, which was found to be 1 min. The data of the MTT test performed on the 4th day of osteoblast cultivation show that when a chitosan sample was treated in plasma jet for 1 min, the proliferative activity of grown osteoblasts increases by 25%. However, the level of proliferative activity of human dermal fibroblasts was 5% higher on the film treated with the plasma jet. Modification by the plasma jet provided a more uniform microrelief, created an optimal contact angle of the polar liquid of 52° and led to an increase in the number of oxygen‐ and nitrogen‐containing groups on the surface. Highlights Modification of chitosan with DBD and PJ increases cell proliferation. The optimal contact angle of chitosan is 52° for proliferations of cells. Treatment of chitosan films with plasma jet is softer than in DBD.