Synthesis of catechol and zwitterion-bifunctionalized poly(ethylene glycol) for the construction of antifouling surfaces. Issue 2 (20th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Li Qun; Pranantyo, Dicky; Neoh, Koon-Gee; Kang, En-Tang; Teo, Serena Lay-Ming; Fu, Guo Dong
• Is Part Of: Polymer chemistry. Volume 7:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 501
• Publication Date: 2015-11-20
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Macromolecules -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 547.705
• DOI: 10.1039/c5py01234a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-9954

Abstract

Abstract : Versatile antifouling coatings from catechol and zwitterion-bifunctionalized poly(ethylene glycol). Abstract : The synthesis of catechol-containing small molecules and macromolecules always requires multiple reaction steps, coupling agents, or enzymes. In this study, a simple and scalable strategy for the preparation of catechol-containing poly(ethylene glycol) (CaPEG) by epoxide–amine polymerization of PEG diglycidyl ether with dopamine is described. The as-formed tertiary amine groups in the backbone of CaPEG can be converted into sulfobetaine structures in an alkylsulfonation step, leading to the formation of catechol and zwitterion-bifunctionalized PEG (SBCaPEG). The resulting catechol-containing CaPEG and SBCaPEG can be anchored on various substrate surfaces, including stainless steel (SS), titanium and silicon wafer, under mild conditions. Since SS is susceptible to fouling by a variety of microorganisms, the antifouling properties of the polymer-coated SS surfaces are studied in detail. The CaPEG- and SBCaPEG-coated SS surfaces effectively reduced the adsorption of protein (albumin–fluorescein isothiocyanate conjugate and bovine plasma fibrinogen), as well as the adhesion of bacteria ( Pseudomonas sp. and Escherichia coli ) and microalgae ( Amphora coffeaeformis ), as compared to that of the pristine SS surface. In comparison with the CaPEG-coated SS surfaces, the zwitterionic SBCaPEG-coated SS surfaces exhibited even better antifouling efficiencies.