Fabrication of long-term hydrophilic elastomeric surfaces via plasma induced surface cross-linking of functional monomers

A 3:1 composition of functional monomer:multifunctional acrylate was spin coated and later cross-linked under the influence of reactive gas plasma onto the surface of EPDM thin films to generate a surface-anchored cross-linked network bearing functional moieties. Functional monomer cross-linked surfaces (FMCS) fabricated by this technique were characterized by XPS, ATR-FTIR, SEM, water contact angle measurements and gravimetric analysis. Results of the surface reconstruction of FMCS and plasma treated EPDM films reveal that long-term hydrophilic surfaces can be achieved and surface reconstruction can be overcome by cross-linking functional monomers onto the polymers bearing dynamic surfaces. Thus, the surface architecture can be favorably manipulated by using this remarkable technique with a suitable combination of functional monomers and cross-linkers.