Adsorption of Pluronic F-127 on Surfaces with Different Hydrophobicities Probed by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation

Abstract

Triblock copolymers of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polypropylene oxide (PPO), that is, PEOn-PPOm-PEOn, better known as Pluronic can adsorb to surfaces in either a pancake or a brushlike configuration. The brushlike configuration is advantageous in numerous applications, since it constitutes a surface repellent to proteins and microorganisms. The conformation of the adsorbed Pluronic layer depends on the hydrophobicity of the substratum surface, but the hydrophobicity threshold above which a brushlike conformation is adopted is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate Pluronic F-127 adsorption on surfaces with different hydrophobicities using a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation. Adsorption in a brushlike conformation occurred on surfaces with a water contact angle above 80 degrees , as inferred from the thickness, viscosity, and elasticity of the adsorbed layer. The concentration of Pluronic F-127 in solution affected only the kinetics of adsorption and not the final layer thickness or conformation of adsorbed Pluronic molecules.

Influence of the molecular architecture on the adsorption onto solid surfaces: comb-like polymers

“…2b give additional information on the existence of rearrangement of the preadsorbed chains, which is related to the type of behaviour of the plot (linear or non-linear trends). 27 Fig. 2b also allows obtaining qualitative information on energy/entropy balance in the adsorption process.…”

An open-chamber flow-focusing device for focal stimulation of micropatterned cells

“…Conversely, in the zones outside of the trench, which were protected from plasma oxidation by the PDMS slab, we expected Pluronic F127, a triblock copolymer consisting of a central hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) block, flanked by two blocks of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), to adsorb to the untreated hydrophobic PDMS substrate and repel cell attachment. 58,59 Pluronic forms a "brushlike" molecular conformation, in which the hydrophobic PPO blocks adsorb to the hydrophobic PDMS substrate and the hydrophilic PEO blocks face the solution, resisting protein adsorption by repulsive osmotic force, thereby minimizing cell adhesion. 59,60 We found that our micropatterning scheme supported long-term micropatterned cultures of myotubes within trenches ( Figure 6).…”

Adsorption of a PEO–PPO–PEO triblock copolymer on metal oxide surfaces with a view to reducing protein adsorption and further biofouling

“…As more and more sites were occupied, the changes in frequency shift related to adsorption slowed down, and a plateau was reached. At this stage, it is assumed that Plu forms a brush structure with relatively high density on Ti/OPA and SS/OPA, which prevents further Plu molecules to approach (Nejadnik et al 2009). It has been reported (Nejadnik et al 2009) that PEO-PPO-PEO can form a brush structure on hydrophobic surfaces with WCA above 80°, which is then effective to reduce protein adsorption (Schroen et al 1995).…”

“…At this stage, it is assumed that Plu forms a brush structure with relatively high density on Ti/OPA and SS/OPA, which prevents further Plu molecules to approach (Nejadnik et al 2009). It has been reported (Nejadnik et al 2009) that PEO-PPO-PEO can form a brush structure on hydrophobic surfaces with WCA above 80°, which is then effective to reduce protein adsorption (Schroen et al 1995). In contrast, PEO-PPO-PEO can form a pancake structure on hydrophilic surfaces (Schroen et al 1995), which is insufficient 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 (Chang et al 2010).…”

“…The results of Nejadnik show that the adsorbed layer of Pluronic F127 is less than 2 nm thick on titanium oxide, suggesting a pancake rather than brush conformation, but these authors did not further investigate the protein resistance of the layer (Nejadnik et al 2009). …”