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Protein-resistant surfaces prepared by PEO-containing block copolymer surfactants
J H Lee1, J Kopecek, J D Andrade
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84112.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research
|March 1, 1989
Summary
Polyethylene oxide (PEO) surfactants create PEO-rich surfaces on polyethylene, significantly reducing protein adsorption. This offers a simple method for developing advanced medical materials with enhanced biocompatibility.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Hydrophobic medical materials like polyethylene often exhibit undesirable protein adsorption.
- Developing biocompatible surfaces is crucial for medical device applications.
- Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-containing nonionic surfactants offer potential for surface modification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of PEO-containing nonionic polymeric surfactants for creating PEO-rich surfaces on polyethylene.
- To evaluate the surface tension, adsorption, and protein resistance properties of modified surfaces.
Main Methods:
- Wilhelmy plate technique for surface tension measurements.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface analysis and protein adsorption evaluation.
- Adsorption studies using 125I-labeled proteins, specifically human albumin.
Main Results:
- Surfactant adsorption on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) surfaces was found to be dependent on surfactant molecular geometry.
- Surfaces treated with PEO/polypropylene oxide (PPO) and PEO/polybutylene oxide (PBO) block copolymers showed significantly reduced human albumin adsorption compared to untreated LDPE.
- XPS confirmed the formation of PEO-rich surfaces after treatment.
Conclusions:
- PEO-containing nonionic block copolymer surfactants are effective in creating PEO-rich surfaces on hydrophobic polyethylene.
- These modified surfaces exhibit enhanced protein resistance, particularly against human albumin adsorption.
- The study highlights suitable surfactants and discusses potential mechanisms for achieving protein resistance on medical materials.