Effect of nitrogen doping on properties of plasma polymerized poly (ethylene glycol) film

This study deals with the catalyst free radio frequency plasma assisted polymerization of ethylene glycol using nitrogen as reactive gas to modify the surface chemistry and morphology. The deposited film was characterized through various analysis techniques i.e. surface profilometry, Forier transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle and UV-visible spectroscopy to analyze film thickness, chemical structure, surface energy and optical properties respectively. The surface topography was analyzed by Atomic force microscopy. It was observed that the ethylene oxide behaviour and optical transmittance of the film were reduced with the introduction of nitrogen gas due to higher fragmentation of monomer. However the hydrophilic behavior of the film improved due to formation of new water loving functional groups suitable for biomedical applications.