Vapor-based synthesis of maleimide-functionalized coating for biointerface engineering

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Poly-p-xylylenes (PPX) are versatile coatings with tunable properties.
• Functionalization of PPX surfaces is crucial for advanced applications.
• Click chemistry offers efficient and specific conjugation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel maleimide-functionalized poly-p-xylylene (PPX) coating.
• To demonstrate the utility of this coating in facilitating thiol-maleimide click reactions.
• To explore applications in biomaterial surface modification.

Main Methods:

• Chemical vapor deposition polymerization (CVD) was employed to deposit the functionalized PPX coating.
• The coating was characterized for its chemical structure and surface properties.
• Thiol-maleimide click reactions were performed under mild conditions.

Main Results:

• A uniform maleimide-functionalized PPX coating was successfully deposited on various substrates.
• The coating readily underwent thiol-maleimide click reactions with high efficiency.
• Demonstrated low-protein-fouling properties and supported controlled attachment and growth of bovine arterial endothelial cells.

Conclusions:

• The novel maleimide-functionalized PPX coating provides a versatile platform for surface modification.
• This technology enables efficient bioconjugation via click chemistry for biomedical applications.
• The coating shows promise for developing advanced biomaterials with tailored surface functionalities.