Hydrophilic polymers grafted surfaces: preparation, characterization, and biomedical applications. Achievements and challenges

Abstract

This paper describes various methods of preparation and characterization of supports (e.g. silicon, polymer, and metal) with grafted polymers and copolymers, which were tailored for biomedical applications. In particular, there are described methods related to preparation of substrates by surface modification leading to incorporation of initiators and, eventually, various polymerization methods yielding complete, dense, and efficient polymer or copolymer coverage with desired arrangement of polymers/copolymers chains, sufficient chains density, and thickness of a polymer layer. Special attention is drawn to the description of manufacturing of patterned polymer stimuli responsive brushes that are sensitive to changes, for example, temperature, pH, hydrophilicity, solvent, and ionic strength. Selected applications of supports containing tethered polymer brushes used as modern materials useful in biosciences, particularly as elements of biosensors, materials for diagnostics, and prostheses, as well as in other areas of micro-technology and nanotechnology are discussed.

Dynamic contact angle on a reconstructive polymer surface by segregation

“…A number of research groups are trying to nd the best way to prevent biofouling such as protein and cell adsorption onto material surfaces. [1][2][3][4] The modication by tethered water-soluble polymer chains, which is oen called "polymer brush", is one of the simplest and most effective methods. 5,6 These polymer brushes are usually fabricated by following two methods: attaching a functional end of polymer chain to the surface chemically or physically (gra-to method), 7 or polymerizing the polymer chains from the initiator on the surface (gra-from method).…”

Synthesis of naringin‐based polymer brushes via seATRP

“…These polymerization methods include ring‐opening polymerization, click reaction, cationic polymerization, anionic polymerization, radical (co)polymerization, reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT), nitroxide‐mediated polymerization (NMP), and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), as well as combinations of different methods . Considering these techniques, macromolecular brushes can be synthesized via three main approaches: “grafting through”, “grafting onto”, or “grafting from” . Undoubtedly, “grafting from” is one of the most useful technique which involves attachment of initiator molecules to the backbone and growing of polymer chains via polymerization; therefore, macromolecular brushes with high grafting density can be prepared by using these tactics …”

“…13,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]30,32,44 Considering these techniques, macromolecular brushes can be synthesized via three main approaches: "grafting through", 2,11,[53][54][55][56] "grafting onto", 54,[57][58][59][60][61][62] or "grafting from". 51,52,[62][63][64][65][66][67][68] Undoubtedly, "grafting from" is one of the most useful technique which involves attachment of initiator molecules to the backbone and growing of polymer chains via polymerization; therefore, macromolecular brushes with high grafting density can be prepared by using these tactics. 13 Citrus-derived flavonoid molecule such as naringin (NG) with eight terminal hydroxyl groups can be used as an efficacious solution to receive functionalized polymers.…”

Tailored Chemical Surface Modifications of Different Types of Thermoplastic Materials for Microfluidic Applications

“…Therefore, chemical grafting was considered as an optimal way for surface modifications. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] Here a functional polymer is attached to the thermoplastic surface by chemical reactions, either by radical grafting or by grafting using the specific reactivity of the thermoplastic, like aminolysis of polyester. Those reactions on polymer parts are quite slow, because the reaction temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature of the thermoplastic.…”