Plasma polymerization of biogenic precursors

Plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition is a highly promising tool for coating deposition due to its versatility, tunability, low chemical consumption, and cost‐effectiveness, with an increasing scope of deposition methods at both low and atmospheric pressure. Adhering to green chemistry principles, biobased precursors have recently shifted into the focus of research interests. This review gives an overview of the main biogenic substance classes that have been used for the deposition of plasma polymer coatings, including natural oils, terpenes, enzymes, and lactic acid‐based precursors. The common feature of these precursors is not only their biogenic origin, but additionally the manifold properties of the resulting plasma‐deposited thin films, ranging from antimicrobial properties to tunable surface‐wetting characteristics, electrical conductivity, or biodegradability. This combination of unique features makes plasma‐derived polymers based on natural precursors immensely attractive for manifold applications. Considering the growing demand for more sustainable coatings and increasingly importance of green chemistry principles, this review article addresses the use of bio‐based feedstocks within the promising coating method of plasma‐enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Examples include natural oils, terpenes, enzymes, and lactic acid‐based precursors. The resulting thin films exhibit diverse properties such as antimicrobial resistance, adjustable surface wetting properties, electrical conductivity, or biodegradability, making them extremely attractive for numerous applications.