Oligo(ethylene glycol) Containing Polymer Brushes as Bioselective Surfaces

Abstract

The nitroxide-mediated polymerization of styrenic monomers containing oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEGn) moieties was chosen for the preparation of biocompatible polymer brushes tethered to silicon oxide surfaces due to the broad range of monomer structures available and the use of a nonmetallic initiator. These surfaces were characterized by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure and water contact angle measurements. The biocompatibility of these grown polymer brushes was studied and compared with deposited assemblies of surface-bound OEGn-terminated silanes with selected chain lengths. Grown polymer brushes with short OEGn side chains suppressed protein adsorption significantly more than the deposited assemblies of short OEGn chains, and this was attributed to higher surface coverage by the brushes. Cell adhesion studies confirmed that OEGn-containing polymer brushes are particularly effective in preventing nonspecific adhesion. Studies of protein adsorption and cell localization carried out with specific ligands on surfaces patterned demonstrated the potential of these surface-tethered polymer brushes for the formation of micro- and nanoscale devices.

Polymer brushes and self-assembled monolayers: Versatile platforms to control cell adhesion to biomaterials (Review)

“…70,85 Similarly, polymer brushes formed by surface-initiated nitroxide-mediated polymerization of OEG-substituted styrene imparts bioresistance to silicon substrates. 132 Messersmith and co-workers used a catechol initiator on titanium substrates to perform SI-ATRP of OEGMA. 83,133 The poly͑OEGMA͒ brushes resisted protein adsorption and cell adhesion for up to 5 weeks.…”

“…The preparation of polymer brushes allows for the design of robust and functional surface coatings. 130 Gold, silver, silicon, glass, and titanium 80,83,84,[131][132][133] substrates have been modified with polymer brushes for an assortment of medical applications such as diagnostics, cell culture, tissue engineering scaffolds, intraocular lenses, sutures, and orthopaedic applications. [134][135][136] These polymer brushes provide functional and durable coatings which may be tailored to enhance integration of biomaterials with a host.…”

Stimuli-Responsive Polyelectrolyte Brushes As a Matrix for the Attachment of Gold Nanoparticles: The Effect of Brush Thickness on Particle Distribution

“…Because they are chemically end-grafted to the substrate, they provide a higher stability than physically adsorbed films. Neutral polymer brushes and polyelectrolyte brushes are widely used for the modification of surfaces, due to their advantageous specific properties, such as mechanical and chemical stability, their adsorption behavior [1] and permeability [2] and the possibility to tune their structure by varying external stimuli. For instance, the structure of a weak polyelectrolyte brush depends on pH [3][4][5][6][7][8], temperature [9][10][11], salt [12][13][14][15] and solvent [16][17][18].…”

Surface treatment and characterization: Perspectives to electrophoresis and lab‐on‐chips

“…Recently, using a similar strategy, this group realized the nitroxide-mediated polymerization of styrenic monomers containing oligo(ethylene glycol) side chains on silicon wafers. Tethered polymer chains on a silicon surface significantly decrease protein adsorption in comparison with a surface covered by PEG silane, due to higher coverage by the brushes [196].…”