Inexpensive Synthesis of Poly(Ethylenedioxythiophene‐Sulfobetaine) Films with High Bio‐Antifouling Ability

Abstract

To prevent nonspecific interactions with biomolecules (e.g., proteins), blood cells, and microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites) that can exert severe side effects, several bio-inspired antifouling materials, including poly(ethylene glycol) and zwitterionic phosphocholine, sulfobetaine (SB), and carboxybetaine derivatives have been applied in biomedical electronic devices. In this paper, we report the development of an economical strategy for synthesizing ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT)-SB and creating the corresponding highly antifouling polymer films though electrochemical polymerization. The poly(EDOT-SB) films inhibited 95% of the nonspecific binding of proteins from serum and prevented the adhesion of fibroblast cells. Moreover, the antifouling properties of the conducting film were maintained in both the oxidized and reduced states of PEDOT. Such zwitterionic, functionalized conducting polymer films appear to have great potential for application to bio-electronic implant devices.

Zwitterionic Conducting Polymers: From Molecular Design, Surface Modification, and Interfacial Phenomenon to Biomedical Applications

“…When foreign molecules are adsorbed/desorbed on the surface or when the environment is changed, such as through a different viscosity or ionic strength of flowing solution, the system’s resonance frequency and total energy dissipation may change, followed by a drop or increase in frequency and dissipation value (Figure e). Several studies have demonstrated the application of QCM in investigating zwitterionic CPs, such as evaluating the antifouling properties, the specific binding of proteins on corresponding functional groups, and the conformational change of polymer brushes. − …”

Engineering Antifouling Conducting Polymers for Modern Biomedical Applications

“…On the basis of these successful demonstrations of various biomaterials, conducting polymers with antifouling properties are anticipated to be favorable for promoting and stimulating new biomedical applications of conducting polymers. Various types of antifouling conducting polymers have been reported. − Figure shows the classification of antifouling conducting polymers.…”

Flexible Nanogenerator from Electrospun PVDF–Polycarbazole Nanofiber Membranes for Human Motion Energy-Harvesting Device Applications

“…Conducting polymers are known to possess bacterial inhibition properties due to their ability to participate in redox electron transfer reactions or cause irreversible damage to cell membranes, resulting in leakage of bacterial cell contents. ICPs like PEDOT and PANI have been employed as antifouling materials for various environments, , and the present study shows that PCZ can have more potent bacterial inhibitory action than PANI. It is also evident that ICP composites enable charge transfer to bacterial cells due to electrical stimulation and increase bacterial inhibition .…”