Surface zeta potential and protein adsorption on the coating surface of a heteroarm star polymer with a controlled hydrophilic/hydrophobic arm ratio

• Published in: Polymer journal Vol. 56; no. 8; pp. 783 - 789
• Main Authors: Totani, Masayasu, Ajiro, Hiroharu, Kadokawa, Jun-ichi, Tanihara, Masao, Ando, Tsuyoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London Nature Publishing Group UK 01.08.2024; Nature Publishing Group
• Subjects: 639/301/54/990; 639/638/455/958; Adsorption; Biofouling; Biomaterials; Bioorganic Chemistry; Brushes; Cell adhesion; Cell adhesion & migration; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Chemistry/Food Science; Coating; Electric potential; High density; High resistance; Molecular structure; Polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate; Polymer coatings; Polymer Sciences; Polymers; Protective coatings; Protein adsorption; Proteins; Surface properties; Surfaces and Interfaces; Thin Films; Zeta potential
• ISSN: 0032-3896; 1349-0540
• DOI: 10.1038/s41428-024-00911-y

A surface coated with a star polymer is believed to form a highly dense polymer brush-like architecture and inhibit biofouling. In this study, the surface properties of the star polymer coating were evaluated with their resistance to protein adsorption and surface zeta ( ζ )-potential to clarify the mechanism for inhibition of cell adhesion. The surface of the star polymer coating with a high density of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) formed an electrically neutral diffuse brush structure in water and showed high resistance to protein adsorption. Considering the data obtained in the study, the surface ζ -potential and antibiofouling properties were correlated by controlling the molecular architecture of the coating material. The surface properties of the star polymer coating were evaluated with their resistance to protein adsorption and surface zeta (ζ)-potential to clarify the mechanism for inhibition of cell adhesion. The surface of the star polymer coating with a high density of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) formed an electrically neutral diffuse brush structure in water and showed high resistance to protein adsorption. Considering the data obtained in the study, the surface ζ-potential and antibiofouling properties were correlated by controlling the molecular architecture of the coating material.