Properties and reactivity of polyoxazoline plasma polymer films

Polyoxazolines arise as a promising new class of polymers for biomedical applications, but creating oxzoline-based coatings via conventional methods is challenging. Herein, nanoscale polyoxazoline coatings were generated via a single step plasma deposition process. The effects of plasma deposition conditions on the film stability, structure and chemical group density were investigated. Detailed examination of the physical and chemical properties of plasma deposited polyoxazoline via XPS, FTIR, contact angle and ellipsometry unravels the complex functionality of the films. Partial retention of the oxazoline ring facilitates a covalent reaction with the carboxylic acid groups present on nanoparticles and biomolecules. Surface bound proteins effectively retain their bioactivity, therefore a vast range of potential applications unlocks for plasma deposited polyoxazoline coatings in the field of biosensing, medical arrays and diagnosis.