Modification of polydimethylsiloxane surfaces using benzophenone.

New biocompatible materials have been obtained by different modifications of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surfaces. PDMS is of great interest for several biomedical applications. For some applications the native silicone does not provide an optimal performance. PDMS attracts proteins and salts. To reduce protein adhesion and salt deposition selected monomers were grafted by radical polymerization on the silicone surface. The conditions for surface modifications of PDMS using benzophenone as UV initiator were optimized. The modified surfaces were characterized properly using different methods. The effect of surface modifications on the albumin, as model protein, deposition was tested in an in vitro model.