This work is focused on the characterization of functionalized polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) with Ar plasma treatment. The changes of the surface contact angle and the surface free energy, the surface morphology and roughness were studied using electrokinetic analysis, goniometry, AFM and XPS method. Ablation of PEN surface layers was determined by gravimetry. Plasma treated samples were consequently metallized; the surface morphology and cross-section of polymer/metal were studied with SEM and FIB-SEM analysis. The plasma treatment induced globular surface morphology connected with significant mass loss and wettability (contact angle) changes. Electrokinetic analysis confirmed dramatic changes in surface chemistry after plasma treatment depending on plasma power and exposure time. Also the ablated polymer mass increased with the increasing power and time. The plasma treatment increases oxygen concentration on the PEN surface. Consequently deposited gold layer and its FIB-SEM analysis confirmed homogeneous electrically continuous layer formation for a wide interval of plasma power and time used for the pretreatment. Plasma treatment was applied for significant enhancement of vascular smooth muscle growth cell adhesion and proliferation on PEN. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.