Oxygen and ammonia plasma treatment of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) films for controlled surface zeta potential and improved cell compatibility

• Plasma treatment affected the topography of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB).
• Concealment of the surface porosity of P3HB was observed.
• Plasma treatment enabled tailoring of the surface zeta potential of P3HB.
• The ammonia plasma treatment at 150 W improved the cell adhesion and proliferation.

The oxygen and ammonia radio-frequency (RF) plasma treatment of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) P3HB films was performed. We revealed significant changes in the topography, a decrease in the surface zeta potential from −63 to −75 mV after the oxygen–plasma treatment and an increase after ammonia plasma treatment from −63 to −45 mV at a pH of 7.4. Investigations into the NIH 3T3 fibroblast adhesion and growth demonstrated the best cell vitality and a higher cell number for the ammonia plasma treatment at 150 W.