Plasma‐Induced Acrylic Acid Grafting on Pet Sutures: Investigation, Modeling, and Process Optimization

ABSTRACT This study presents an optimized surface modification strategy to enhance the hydrophilicity of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) braided sutures, widely used in biomedical applications. A plasma‐induced graft polymerization process is developed using acrylic acid to introduce functional groups onto the PET surface without altering its bulk properties. A response surface methodology design is employed to model and optimize key process parameters, including plasma power, gas type and flow rate, exposure time, monomer concentration, and impregnation duration. Surface modification is confirmed through carboxylic group quantification, graft yield measurements, capillarity tests, ATR‐IR spectroscopy, and SEM imaging. The successful grafting of acrylic acid is evidenced by new absorption bands at 2360 and 2340 cm −1 . Wicking time significantly decreases from 3.16 to 0.526 s after argon plasma treatment, indicating a substantial improvement in hydrophilicity. Optimal grafting is achieved at 72 W plasma power, 100 cm 3 /min gas flow rate for 5 min, followed by 10 min of impregnation in pure acrylic acid. This process provides a promising and efficient approach for tailoring the surface of PET sutures for advanced biomedical functionalities.