Structure-Bioactivity Relationship of the Functionalized Polysulfone with Triethylphosphonium Pendant Groups: Perspective for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Development of new biomaterials based on polysulfones tailored to act in various biomedical fields represents a promising strategy which provides an opportunity for enhancing the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of specific illnesses. To meet these requirements, structural modification of the polysulfones is essential. In this context, for design of new materials with long-term stability, enhanced workability, compatibility with biological materials and good antimicrobial activity, the functionalization of chloromethylated polysulfones with triethylphosphonium pendant groups (PSFEtP+) was adopted. The surface chemistry analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)), rheological properties, morphological aspects (Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized light microscopy (POM)), and antimicrobial activity of the synthetized polysulfone were investigated to establish the relationship between its structure and properties, as an important indicator for targeted applications. Based on the obtained features, evaluated by the relationship between the rheological properties and microstructural aspects, and also the response at the biomaterial-bacteria interface, these qualities have been confirmed in their performance, in terms of thermal stability, antimicrobial activity, and also an increase in lifetime. Consequently, derived results constitute the preliminary basis for future tests concerning their functionality as gel matrices in biomedical devices.

Electrospun Membranes Based on Quaternized Polysulfones: Rheological Properties–Electrospinning Mechanisms Relationship

“…A functionalized polysulfone containing quaternary ammonium side groups (PSFQ, Mn = 28,000 g/mol) was synthesized by substituting the chlorine atoms of a chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSF, Mn = 29,000 g/mol, chlorine content, Cl = 7.42%) with ammonium groups using N,N-dimethylbutylamine tertiary amine, as described in previous studies [ 31 , 33 ]. Cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP, Mn = 2534 g/mol, high purity ≥99.5%, Sigma Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF, Mw = 180,000 g/mol) were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich (Sigma-Aldrich Chemie GmbH, Taufkirchen, Germany) and used as received without further purification ( Scheme 1 ).…”

“…It is known that PSFs are the most commonly used membrane material in biomedicine for hemodialysis as well as in extracorporeal and biomedical devices [ 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Thus, functionalized polysulfones containing quaternary ammonium side groups (PSFQ), renowned for their remarkable thermal stability, chemical resistance, and mechanical strength, are widely used in various industrial and biomedical applications [ 23 , 31 ] as a result of their reactive groups. Although these functionalized polysulfones have excellent properties for film/membrane formation, acting as excellent barriers in biomedical applications, they have also proven to be good candidates for the development of next-generation nanofibrous scaffolds.…”