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Green Solvent-Based Antifouling Polymer Brushes Demonstrate Excellent Hemocompatibility
Jenny Englert1,2, Marc Palà3, Lena Witzdam1,4,5
1DWI─Leibniz Institute for Interactive Materials, Forckenbeckstraße 50, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 4, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed new bio-based polymer brushes from N,N-dimethyl lactamide acrylate (DMLA) that prevent infections and blood clots. These green alternatives match the performance of fossil-based coatings for safer medical devices.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Medical devices require advanced biomaterials to prevent infections and blood coagulation.
- Current hydrophilic polymer brushes, while effective, rely on fossil raw materials, necessitating sustainable alternatives.
- Bio-based coatings are crucial for developing next-generation, biocompatible medical technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and characterize novel, bio-based polymer brushes for medical device coatings.
- To evaluate the antifouling and hemocompatible properties of these new polymer brushes.
- To demonstrate a sustainable alternative to fossil-based polymer coatings in biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of N,N-dimethyl lactamide acrylate (DMLA) polymer brushes using controlled polymerization techniques.
- Surface characterization using thermodynamic analysis of surface tension components to determine hydrophilicity.
- In vitro assessment of protein adsorption, bacterial adhesion (Escherichia coli), and blood coagulation (fibrin network formation, leukocyte adhesion).
Main Results:
- Poly(DMLA) brushes exhibit strong hydrophilicity and effectively repel challenging protein solutions.
- Complete prevention of Escherichia coli adhesion and colonization was observed on poly(DMLA) surfaces.
- The polymer brushes successfully inhibited fibrin network formation and leukocyte adhesion upon blood contact, demonstrating hemocompatibility.
- Antifouling performance comparable to N-hydroxypropyl methacrylamide (HPMA) polymer brushes was achieved, with added benefit of preventing complement system activation.
Conclusions:
- N,N-dimethyl lactamide acrylate (DMLA) polymer brushes offer a promising bio-based, green alternative for antifouling and hemocompatible medical device coatings.
- These novel polymer brushes provide excellent resistance to protein adsorption, bacterial colonization, and blood coagulation.
- The developed materials represent a significant advancement towards sustainable and safer biomedical technologies.
