Strongly Stretched Protein Resistant Poly(ethylene glycol) Brushes Prepared by Grafting-To

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b01590
• Publication Date: 2015-03-26T18:15:20Z
• Authors: Gustav Emilsson; Rafael L. Schoch; Laurent Feuz; Fredrik Höök; Roderick Y. H. Lim; Andreas B. Dahlin
• Keywords: Quartz Crystal Microbalance; Polymer brush; Protein Adsorption

We present a new grafting-to method for resistant "non-fouling" poly(ethylene glycol) brushes, which is based on grafting of polymers with reactive end groups in 0.9 M Na2SO4 at room temperature. The process, the resulting and resistance toward biomolecular adsorption are investigated by surface plasmon resonance, quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy. determine both density thickness independently use narrow molecular weight distributions result well-defined brushes. High (e.g., 0.4 coils per nm(2) 10 kDa) thick (40 nm 20 brushes readily achieved that suppress from complete serum (10× dilution, exposure 50 min) up to 99% gold (down 4 ng/cm(2) protein coverage). outperform oligo(ethylene monolayers prepared same surfaces analyzed manner. brush heights agreement calculations simple model similar de Gennes "strongly stretched" brush, where height proportional weight. This has so far generally been considered be possible only grafting-from. Our results consistent theory act as kinetic barriers rather than efficient prevention equilibrium. suggest free energy barrier passing depends monomer concentration thickness. extraordinary simplicity good inert properties should make our widely applicable biointerface science.