Crosslinkable fluorophenoxy-substituted poly[bis(octafluoropentoxy) phosphazene] biomaterials with improved...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Biomaterial-associated infections are severe complications in medical devices.
• Fluorinated polyphosphazenes (OFP, X-OFP) previously showed promise in controlling microbial adhesion and biofilm formation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and evaluate new fluorinated polyphosphazenes (LS02, LS03) with fluorophenoxy side groups for enhanced anti-infective and hemocompatible properties.
• To assess their efficacy as coatings on stainless steel for medical device applications.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of two novel crosslinkable fluorinated polyphosphazenes (PPs LS02 and LS03) with 4-fluorophenoxy and 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy side groups.
• Coating stainless steel with the synthesized PPs and evaluating Staphylococcus bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.
• Assessing hemocompatibility through plasma coagulation and platelet adhesion/activation experiments.

Main Results:

• The new PPs (LS02, LS03) significantly reduced bacterial adhesion and inhibited biofilm formation compared to previous materials (OFP, X-OFPs, TFE).
• Biofilm-free surfaces were observed for LS02 and LS03 up to 28 days.
• The fluorophenoxy-containing PPs demonstrated good hemocompatibility, with low plasma coagulation and platelet activation.

Conclusions:

• Novel crosslinkable fluorinated polyphosphazenes with fluorophenoxy side groups offer superior resistance to microbial infection and thrombosis.
• These materials represent a new generation of polyphosphazene coatings for medical devices with enhanced performance.