Dendritic Nano-Based Slippery Coating by Synergistic Mechanical and Electrostatic Interactions with Persistent and...

Implantable medical devices face critical failure risks due to biofouling and thrombosis. A major challenge is developing coatings that combine long-term mechanical stability with robust anti-biofouling efficacy under dynamic vascular conditions. To address this, we introduce a novel dendritic nano-based slippery coating (DNSC), fabricated by encapsulating carboxyl silicone oil within amino dendritic silica nanoparticles and co-embedding them in an epoxy resin matrix. The dendritic architecture enhances nanoparticle dispersion in the matrix and establishes mechanical interlock. Coupled with electrostatic interactions between amine and carboxyl groups, this design ensures stable lubricant immobilization, improving mechanical durability while providing exceptional slipperiness. Under simulated blood flow, DNSC demonstrated unprecedented and sustained resistance to protein, bacterial, cellular, and platelet adhesion for over 15 days. Mechanistic studies confirmed that anti-adhesion arises from physical slippage rather than bioactive release. Besides, in vitro and in vivo evaluations showed significant thrombosis inhibition without notable inflammation or tissue damage, confirming excellent biocompatibility. Through synergistic innovation in material architecture and interfacial engineering, this work successfully resolves the longstanding trade-off between mechanical robustness and surface slippery. The proposed DNSC offers a promising surface modification strategy for blood-contacting devices, integrating durability, anti-fouling performance, and biosafety to enhance device reliability and longevity.