Synthesis, structure and surface dynamics of phosphorycholine functional biomimicking polymers

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering

Background:

• Phosphorylcholine (PC) polymers are known for their excellent biocompatibility and non-fouling properties.
• Developing new polymer architectures with controlled PC content is crucial for advanced biomaterial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a novel PC-functional terpolymer.
• To investigate the bulk, solution, and surface properties of the terpolymer.
• To evaluate the non-fouling characteristics of the terpolymer for potential biomaterial applications.

Main Methods:

• Terpolymer synthesis via copolymerization of 2-Acryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (APC) with methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA).
• Characterization using elemental analysis, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and 1H-NMR.
• Surface analysis via Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
• In vitro assays to assess non-fouling properties and cell attachment.

Main Results:

• A microphase-separated morphology was observed in the bulk, with PC-enriched domains within a (MMA-MA) matrix at low PC concentrations.
• Evidence of PC micelles in non-polar solvents was deduced from solution behavior analysis.
• Surface reorganisation was found to be dependent on PC group affinity for the environment.
• A low PC content was sufficient to significantly reduce cell attachment.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized terpolymer exhibits amphiphilic characteristics and unique self-assembly behavior in bulk and solution.
• The PC group's affinity for its environment drives surface reorganisation.
• Even low concentrations of PC in the terpolymer are effective in reducing cell adhesion, highlighting its potential as a non-fouling biomaterial.