Effect Of Low-Temperature Plasma Treatment And Gamma Irradiation On The Surface Properties Of Thin Films Based On Polylactic Acid

The effects of the low-temperature plasma exposure, gg irradiation, and combined gamma irradiation and plasma exposure on the structure and surface properties of thin films based on polylactic acid (PLA) are studied. Films are prepared by the solvent casting method. It is shown that films based on polylactic acid have topographically different sides: a smoother inner side and an embossed outer one. PLA films have properties close to hydrophobic ones, with a contact angle in the range of 70 degrees-73 degrees regardless of the surface side. They belong to weakly polar materials. The combined effect of plasma and gg irradiation slightly changes the surface topography. The effect of low-temperature plasma on the surface of the films leads to a decrease in the contact angle by 13 degrees-55 degrees (9-11%) and an increase in the surface energy due to the polar component. The results of in vivo experiments on rabbits are presented. Biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, and morphological and electron microscopic examination of the cornea after implantation of the initial and radiation- and plasma-treated films show that implantation of the films in the anterior chamber is not accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory reaction and increased intraocular pressure, while maintaining the morphological structure of the cornea almost unchanged.