Submitted Abstract
The deposition of polymer layers to coat the surface of an object is a recurrent technical solution for aesthetics, protection and functional purposes. Nowadays, functional coatings are more and more challenged by high demanding market needs, which can require materials with a combination of often-incompatible properties. For instance, the development of hydrogel materials is strongly driven by the healthcare industry with an increasing demand of soft, biodegradable but resistant coatings. Interpenetrated polymer networks (IPN), comprising two or more interpenetrating cross-linked networks, can provide this unique combination of properties. In comparison with polymer blends, where the chains are entangled but not interlocked, IPNs exhibit higher dimensional stability and mechanical resistance.COATIHN project aims at providing a novel, cost effective, flexible and surface independent approach for the preparation of multifunctional IPNs by combining two LIST proprietary atmospheric-pressure plasma polymerization technologies. The outstanding control over the polymerization kinetics of nanosecond pulsed plasma discharges at room temperature will be implemented on a liquid-assisted plasma reactor allowing the fast deposition of hydrogel networks from liquid layers. COATIHN project interest on IPN hydrogel elaboration will require the elucidation of the mechanisms actuating the free-radical polymerization of liquid layers by plasma actuation. Such understanding will advance current plasma polymerization concepts towards their application on the formation of complex macromolecular structures. To provide a glance of COATIHN technology potential to cover high demanding societal and industrial sustainability challenges, functional IPN hydrogels will be explored as soft but robust coatings for drug delivery with applications in the elaboration of healthcare and consumer care products.