A Universal Strategy for Growing a Tenacious Hydrogel Coating from a Sticky Initiation Layer. Issue 11 (5th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Rongnian; Zhang, Yunlei; Ma, Shuanhong; Ma, Zhengfeng; Yu, Bo; Cai, Meirong; Zhou, Feng
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 34:Issue 11(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-05
• Subjects: hydrogel coatings -- polymerization -- sticky initiation layers -- surface modifications; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108889
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Controllably coating the surfaces of substrates/medical devices with hydrogels exhibits great application potential, but lacks universal techniques. Herein, a new method, namely ultraviolet‐triggered surface catalytically initiated radical polymerization (UV‐SCIRP) from a sticky initiation layer (SIL) (SIL@UV‐SCIRP), is proposed for growing hydrogel coatings. The method involves three key steps: 1) depositing a sticky polydopamine/Fe 3+ coating on the surface of the substrates‐SIL, 2) reducing Fe 3+ ions to Fe 2+ ions as active catalysts by UV illumination with the assistance of citric acid, and 3) conducting SCIRP in a monomer solution at room temperature for growing hydrogel coatings. In this manner, practically any substrate's surface (natural or artificial materials) can be modified by hydrogel coatings with controllable thickness and diverse compositions. The hydrogel coatings exhibit good interface bonding with the substrates and enable easy changes in their wettability and lubrication performances. Importantly, this novel method facilitates the smooth growth of uniform hydrogel lubrication coatings on the surface of a range of medical devices with complex geometries. Finally, as a proof‐of‐concept, the slippery balls coated with hydrogel exhibited smooth movement within the catheter and esophagus. Hence, this method can prove to be a pioneering universal modification tool, especially in surface/interface science and engineering. Abstract : An innovative modification method, namely ultraviolet‐triggered surface catalytically initiated radical polymerization from a sticky initiation layer, based on in situ interface redox mechanism, is proposed for mildly/controllably growing hydrogel coatings on practically any substrate's (natural or artificial materials)/medical device's surface regardless of surface topology and material category.