Surface Structures and Osteoblast Activity on Biomedical Polytetrafluoroethylene Treated by Long‐Pulse, High‐Frequency Oxygen Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation

Abstract Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a biologically safe polymer used widely in clinical medicine including oral and orthopedic surgery. However, the high bio‐inertness of PTFE has hampered wider applications in the biomedical fields. In this work, we extend the treatment time in long‐pulse, high‐frequency oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation of PTFE and a more superhydrophobic surface with a water contact angle of 160° is created. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveal that the optimized long‐pulse, high‐frequency oxygen plasma immersion ion implantation process induces a rougher surface and to a lesser extent alters the surface oxygen concentration on the PTFE. Our data, especially long‐term contact angles, suggest that the superhydrophobility stems from surface roughness alteration. Furthermore, the activity of MC3T3‐E1 osteoblasts cultured on the treated surfaces is promoted in terms of quantities and morphology.