LAUSR

Investigations of the surface physicochemical properties of polylactic acid and polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite composite in a 70/30 ratio modified by atmospheric pressure low-temperature glow discharge argon plasma with the pulse duration of 1 μs and 5 μs and repetition rate of 100 kHz are described. Plasma modification of such materials may significantly affect physicochemical properties of surface. The polymerization of l-lactide was carried out at a temperature of 155 °C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the degree of crystallinity of polylactic acid and composites based on polylactic acid/hydroxyapatite composite increases after plasma treatment due to polymer chain disruption. Infrared spectroscopy indicates that the –C=O absorption band intensity increases with plasma pulse duration, in turn indicating oxidation processes occurring in the polylactic acid surface layers. The wettability characteristics of the materials are improved by the plasma treatment, resulting in decreased water, glycerol, and ethylene glycol contact angle, and enhanced free surface energy.