Improving the Biocompatibility of Polymeric Membrane Potentiometric Ion Sensors by Using a Mussel-Inspired Polydopamine Coating

Abstract

Polymeric membrane potentiometric ion sensors have been widely used in clinical diagnosis for the detection of electrolyte ions and account for billions of measurements every year throughout the world. However, in many cases of practical relevance, biofouling, which might lead to sensor failure, usually occurs due to the lack of biocompatibility of these sensors. Herein, we describe a simple and robust approach for improving the biocompatibility of the polymeric ionselective membranes. A marine mussel-inspired polydopamine polymer is used as a hydrophilic coating on the surface of conventional potentiometric ion sensors. Such a coating can be easily formed by self-polymerization of dopamine and robustly deposited on the sensor surface mimicking the adhesion mechanism of mussels. The classical poly(vinyl chloride) membrane-based calcium ion-selective electrode (ISE) is chosen as a model. Compared to the unmodified Ca 2+ ISE, the polydopamine modified electrode shows a significantly reduced blood platelet adsorption while retaining original potentiometric ion response properties, which clearly indicates a high antifouling capability induced by the hydrophilic polydopamine coating. We believe that the proposed approach can provide an appealing way to improve the biocompatibility in the development of polymeric membrane electrochemical and optical sensors.

Polymeric membrane ion-selective electrodes with anti-biofouling properties by surface modification of silver nanoparticles

“…A similar detection limit of about 10 -5.4 M is observed for all these electrodes. These results illustrate that the surface modification indeed does not impair the final thermodynamic extraction equilibrium state of K + , which is consistent with our previous reports [28,44].…”

“…In addition, no obvious change in the WCA is observed after further modification of Ag NPs on the PDA functionalized electrodes. These results suggest that the enhanced hydrophilicity of the modified membranes is mainly attributed to the presence of the PDA films [35,44].…”

Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes: Response Mechanisms, Transducer Materials and Wearable Sensors

“…Development of new ISM membrane or making transducer with ion selectivity are plausible. (4) The biocompatibility of SC transducer and the ISM should be focused upon [101,102]. The ISM component, like the valinomycin for K + ionophore, is a neurotoxin.…”

Monitoring with In Vivo Electrochemical Sensors: Navigating the Complexities of Blood and Tissue Reactivity

“…However, a possibility does exist for reducing surface biofouling by a coating. Pharmacologically active agents for stabilising blood platelets at the surface could also help to mitigate fouling, and surface hydrophilic layers, such as of polydopamine [29], and hydrogels, such as poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) [30], have been reported. Zwitterionic phosphorylcholine is an integral component of the outer red cell membrane surface, and when used, can confer a high degree of haemocompatibility [31].…”