Improving the antifouling properties of polypropylene surfaces by melt blending with polyethylene glycol diblock copolymers

Abstract

Protein-resistant polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PE-b-PEG) copolymers of different molecular weights at various concentrations were compounded by melt blending with polypropylene (PP) polymers in order to enhance their antifouling properties. Phase separation of the PE-b-PEG copolymer and its migration to the surface of the PP blend, was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and static water contact angle measurements. Enrichment of PEG chains at the surface of the blends increased with increasing PE-b-PEG copolymer concentration and molecular weight. The PP blends compounded with PE-b-PEG copolymer having the lowest molecular weight (875 g mol 21 ), at the lowest concentration (1 wt %), gave the lowest bovine serum protein adsorption (30% less) compared to that of neat PP. At higher concentrations (5 and 10 wt %), and higher molecular weights (920, 1400, and 2250 g mol 21 ), the PE-b-PEG copolymers leached-out resulting in protein adsorption comparable to that of neat PP.Polypropylene (PP) is a widely used material for biomedical applications due to its many desirable properties, including low cost, ease of processing, and sterilization. 13 It finds extensive use in the biomedical field 14 as filtration membranes, 15 textiles/fabrics, and medical implants such as surgical meshes 16,17 and vascular prostheses. 18 These applications necessitate extraordinary wettability and protein repellency. 19 Wettability results from hydrophilic functional groups binding or interacting via H-bonding to water (H 2 O) molecules, leading to the formation of a highly hydrated layer of H 2 O molecules surrounding the hydrophilic groups. This hydrated layer results in steric hindrance to any incoming protein molecules, preventing their adsorption. 20Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article.

Synthesis and characterization of PES/PSF/PEG by immersion precipitation for Mediterranean seawater desalination by FO membrane

“…[ 60 ] After insertion of PEG, the band intensity of at 1048 cm −1 (C–O–C) revealed considerable increase based on PEG concentration, which confirms the existence of PEG in the modified membranes. [ 61 ] Also, the presence of the C–O bond stretching band at 1105 cm −1 confirms the presence of PEG in polymer dope. [ 62 ] The absorption peak at 2886 cm −1 is mainly related to the presence of the C–H bond in CH 2 in the PEG structure.…”

Development of Nanoporous Polyurethane Hydrogel Membranes for Cell Encapsulation

“…3 ) in SBMA double network hydrogel is confirmed by stretch at~1040 cm −1 (red dotted line) [25]. Absorption by phosphate group (-P-O-) [26] of MPC in the double network is masked PEG (-C-O-C-) stretching vibrations from the PU hydrogel at~1100 cm −1 [27]. Carboxylate anion stretching is evidenced by peaks at~1400 cm −1 and a shoulder at1 580 cm −1 confirming the presence in CBMA double network hydrogel.…”

Investigation of the Performance of Fumed Silica as Flow Additive in Polyester Powder Coatings

“…As a result of the decreased cohesion of particles, flowability is improved [39,40]. The resin selected in this study is carboxyl end group polyester resin, and owing to the fact that the carboxyl groups in the polymer chain possess the ability to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules in the air, a water film is formed on the surface of the hydrophilic surface [41]. With the existence of water film, the hydrogen bond between particles increases the interparticle force and weakens the flowability of particles.…”