A biocompatible and functional adhesive amine-rich coating based on dopamine polymerization

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Amine groups are crucial for cellular regulation and biomolecule conjugation.
• Existing methods for surface modification may lack efficiency or biocompatibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, amine-rich coating for biomedical devices.
• To evaluate the properties and potential applications of this coating.

Main Methods:

• A simple dip-coating technique was employed using dopamine and hexamethylenediamine (HD).
• The resulting copolymer coating (PDAM/HD) was characterized for amine group density, cross-linking, and adhesion.

Main Results:

• The PDAM/HD coating achieved a high density of amine groups (~30 nmol cm⁻²).
• The coating demonstrated robust cross-linking, resisting hydrolysis and swelling.
• It exhibited excellent adhesion to substrates and resistance to deformation, suitable for vascular stents.
• Biocompatibility was good, showing reduced tissue response compared to 316L stainless steel.
• Effective immobilization of heparin via primary amine groups was demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• The PDAM/HD coating offers a promising approach for surface modification of biomedical devices.
• Its high amine density, stability, and biocompatibility make it suitable for applications like vascular stents.
• The coating facilitates the immobilization of therapeutic biomolecules, enhancing device functionality.