Surface modification of and selective protein attachment to a flexible microarray pattern using atmospheric plasma with a reactive gas

The hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties of the surface of poly-ether sulfone (PES) films were controlled by an atmospheric pressure plasma (AP) treatment using reactive gases (Ar/H2 and Ar/O2). The surface properties of the Ar/H2 and Ar/O2 in series AP-treated PES films showed higher surface roughness (∼120%), surface energy (∼30%) and hydrophilic properties (oxygen content ∼10%) than the Ar/O2 AP-treated PES film. The protein staining results confirmed that an activated region on the patterned PES film with high selectivity and sensitivity was well-defined and formed. This method is suitable for fabricating flexible protein adhesive chips with uniform biomolecular adhesive properties.