Synthesis of phenylazido-derivatized substances and photochemical surface modification to immobilize functional...

Phenylazido-derivatized low-molecular-weight substances and copolymers containing hydrocarbon- or fluorocarbonalkyl group, sulfonato or amino group, and hydroxyl group were prepared. Upon coating and subsequent ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation, covalent fixation of these substances or copolymers took place only at irradiated portions of polymer surfaces, providing a hydrophobic, ionic, or hydrophilic nature. These were verified with electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) spectra and water contact-angle measurement. Endothelial cells adhered on photochemically modified surfaces which have alkyl, sulfonato, or amino groups on their surfaces, whereas little adhesion occurred on a hydroxyl group-bearing hydrogellike surface. When UV light was irradiated through a photomask on the polymer surfaces, patterned and microprocessed surfaces having cell-adhering and nonadhering regions were obtained. The potential application of this photochemical surface processing method in biomedical engineering is discussed.