plasma based surface modification of poly (dimethylsiloxane) electrospun membrane proper fororgan-on-a-chip applications

Constructing of the scaffolds for cell culture applications has long been of interest for engineering researchers and biologists. in this study, a novel process is utilized for construction of suitable membrane with a high mechanical strength and appropriate surface behavior. poly (dimethylsiloxane) (pdms) is electrospun in fine fibers using poly (methyl methacrylate) (pmma) as the carrier polymer in different weight ratios. since the surface behavior of all pdms substrates is moderately hydrophobic (120 < contact angle (ca) < 150), the electrospun membranes with higher pdms ratios show slightly higher hydrophilicity. direct plasma treatment is utilized to change the interfacial wettability of the membrane. applying plasma changes the surface energy and renders the pdms/pmma substrates superhydrophilic (ca < 5). in the following, the mechanical properties of the membrane are evaluated by the tensile test, and the results confirm the suitable mechanical strength of electrospun pdms for cell culturing objectives (yield stress of more than 10 kpa). also, changing the pdms ratio does not significantly affect the total stiffness of the membrane. thus, applying the proposed fabrication protocol provides a proper platform for cell viability and proliferation, which is proven by the results of mtt assay.