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High-throughput Identification of Bacteria Repellent Polymers for Medical Devices
Published on: November 5, 2016
Drastically lowered protein adsorption on microbicidal hydrophobic/hydrophilic polyelectrolyte multilayers
Sze Yinn Wong1, Lin Han, Ksenia Timachova
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States.
Biomacromolecules
|February 4, 2012
Summary
New antifouling coatings using layer-by-layer (LbL) films show significant protein resistance. These advanced materials offer superior surface protection by minimizing protein adsorption for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Developing advanced materials with antifouling and antimicrobial properties is crucial for biomedical applications.
- Polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) films offer tunable surface properties through layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly.
- Understanding the relationship between film composition, surface characteristics, and antifouling performance is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifouling and antimicrobial activities of PEM films constructed from hydrophobic N-alkylated polyethylenimine and hydrophilic polyacrylate.
- To explore how variations in polycation hydrophobicity, assembly conditions, and film thickness affect antifouling performance.
- To elucidate the surface properties contributing to reduced protein adsorption.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PEM films using the LbL assembly technique.
- Quantification of protein adsorption from blood plasma using uncoated surfaces as controls.
- Surface characterization including zeta potential measurements, contact angle hysteresis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Main Results:
- LbL films demonstrated strong antifouling activity, reducing protein adsorption by up to 20-fold compared to controls.
- Antifouling performance was dependent on polycation hydrophobicity and assembly parameters.
- Films with the polyanion on top exhibited enhanced resistance to protein adsorption, correlating with near-neutral surface charge.
- Surface analysis revealed hydrophobic-hydrophilic nanodomains and large contact angle hysteresis.
Conclusions:
- PEM films assembled from hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyelectrolytes exhibit significant antifouling and antimicrobial properties.
- Surface properties such as charge neutrality and the presence of nanodomains are key factors in minimizing protein adsorption.
- These findings suggest potential for developing advanced biomaterials with enhanced biocompatibility and reduced fouling.
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