Cold plasma surface modifi cation 203
Therefore, this chapter will give an introductory overview of recent
achievements in plasma-assisted surface modi cation of biodegradable
polymers. Firstly, we will give a (very) short introduction on biodegradable
polymers. Secondly, we will go into more detail on cold or non-thermal
plasmas. Thirdly, we will deal with surface modi cation of polymers by
cold plasma technology, and focus on some examples of plasma-treated
biodegradable polymers. The nal part will discuss current trends and
conclusions.
7.2 Biodegradable polymers
A biodegradable polymer is de ned as one that preserves its mechanical
strength and other material performance characteristics during practical
application, but that ...