Exploring Post-Polymerization Functionalization of Surface Anchored Assemblies

Overview

Polymer brushes grafted onto surfaces have long been studied as a method to confer special properties to surfaces and can create special (in)compatibility between physical interfaces. The base polymer brush used in this study, nPDMAEMA, has long been studied as a polymer brush with antimicrobial and antifouling properties. However, modification of this base polymer brush can add other special surface properties. Here, nPDMAEMA is modified in two distinct ways, in a quaternization with methyl iodide (forming qPDMAEMA), and a betainization with 1,3-propane sultone (forming bPDMAEMA). After synthesizing and modifying these polymer brushes, a sample of each modified brush along with a control (unmodified) brush, they are exposed to a solution of a fluorescent protein conjugate (FITC-BSA) for 24 h. Following removal from the solution, all 3 brushes are characterized through fluorescent imaging and ellipsometry. Based on both measurements, qPDMAEMA is shown to increase protein adsorption to the surface by 23-55%, while the bPDMAEMA is shown to decrease protein adsorption by 44-96% (as compared to control). Based on ellipsometric analysis, the extent of reaction is determined as 44% for the quaternization and 53% for betainization (meaning only part of the original brush was modified in the new brushes). Results prove that although the degree of modifidcation is ~50%, significant changes in the amount of protein absorptivity can be seen in modified polymer strands, and these new polymer brushes can be used in either anti-biofouling applications (bPDMAEMA) or applications where biocompatibility is required (qPDMAEMA).

Competition history

• AJAS 2024 Category not listed

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