An efficient surface functionalization of polyurethane (PU) films has been obtained by ultraviolet (UV)-assisted modification in the presence of oxygen or acrylic acid (AA) vapours. Film analyses were carried out by water contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS). Film hydrophilicity increased with photolysis time in the presence of oxygen or AA vapours. Incorporation of COO and C=O functional groups at the polymer surface after the UV-assisted treatments was observed. In addition, High resolution XPS and NEXAFS results showed that a thin film of poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) is formed over the PU films during the UV irradiation with AA vapours. The obtained results are compared with previous published oxygen and AA low-power plasma treatments. Similarity between both treatment methodologies is shown. UV surface functionalization and polymerization of PAA can be used instead of a traditional plasma treatment with the advantage of set-up simplicity and lower costs. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.