On-line monitoring of poly dimethylsiloxane surface modification using the photothermal deflection technique

Over the last decade, there has been particular interest in surface modification of biomaterials with regard to understanding the importance of surface characterization. This paper reports the use of photothermal deflection (PTD) technique to monitor modifications in poly dimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface induced following laser treatments. The FTIR results are in agreement with PTD results, indicating that no structural changes occurred using Argon laser up to 180 s and 200 mW at 454, 488 and 514 nm wavelengths. However, with CO2 laser some physical and chemical changes occurred which are monitored by PTD technique and proved by SEM images.