Design of hemocompatible and antifouling PET sheets with synergistic zwitterionic surfaces

Zwitterionic surface has been proven to be a good candidate for improving hemocompatible and antibiofouling properties. However, it can only passively repel the adsorption of microbes and is unable to kill the adherent or trapped microbes. The purpose of our study is to develop a facile method based on synergy "repel and kill" strategy and prepare dual antifouling and antibacterial surface. Herein, the poly(2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) was first constructed via surface-initiated activators regenerated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET-ATRP) method, followed by partial quaternization in order to form polycarboxybetaine and polysulfobetaine. The conversion rates of PDMAEMA to polyzwitterions were evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS). Surface characterizations by ATR-FTIR, XPS, and AFM demonstrated that zwitterionic polymer brushes were successfully grafted. The remained PDMAEMA(weak cationic) and formed zwitterions(neutral) endowed the surface with the synergetic antibacterial and antifouling properties. The resulting PET sheets showed outstanding antifouling property featured by the reduced adhesion of 3T3 fibroblast cells and E. coli. Additionally, these sheets displayed excellent hemocompatibility such as non-cytotoxicity, repelled protein adsorption, reduced platelet adhesion, and prolonged blood blotting time. These synergistic surfaces with neutral zwitterions and weak cations are promising for biomedical applications.