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Surface zeta potential and protein adsorption on the coating surface of a heteroarm star polymer with a controlled hydrophilic/hydrophobic arm ratio

Polymer Journal (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

A surface coated with a star polymer is believed to form a highly dense polymer brush-like architecture and inhibit biofouling. In this study, the surface properties of the star polymer coating were evaluated with their resistance to protein adsorption and surface zeta (ζ)-potential to clarify the mechanism for inhibition of cell adhesion. The surface of the star polymer coating with a high density of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) formed an electrically neutral diffuse brush structure in water and showed high resistance to protein adsorption. Considering the data obtained in the study, the surface ζ-potential and antibiofouling properties were correlated by controlling the molecular architecture of the coating material.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for JSPS KAKENHI Grants-in Aid for Scientific Research (C) (JP19K05583 and JP23K04839) (TA), (21K14684 and 23K04866) (MT) and (21K05170) (JK). This work was supported by JST A-STEP Grant Number JPMJTM18BQ, Japan (TA). We would also like to thank Prof. Jun-ichi Kikuchi and Assoc. Prof. Kazuma Yasuhara at the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST) for the use of the QCM-D, ELSZ-1000, and helpful discussion.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma, Nara, 630-0192, Japan

    Masayasu Totani, Hiroharu Ajiro, Masao Tanihara & Tsuyoshi Ando

  2. Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, 1-21-40 Korimoto, Kagoshima, 890-0065, Japan

    Masayasu Totani & Jun-ichi Kadokawa

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  1. Masayasu Totani
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  2. Hiroharu Ajiro
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  4. Masao Tanihara
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  5. Tsuyoshi Ando
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Contributions

Conceptualization, TA and MT; methodology, TA and MT; data curation, MT; formal analysis, MT, and TA.; writing – original draft, TA and MT; writing – reviewing and editing, TA, MT, HA, JK and MT All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Tsuyoshi Ando.

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Totani, M., Ajiro, H., Kadokawa, Ji. et al. Surface zeta potential and protein adsorption on the coating surface of a heteroarm star polymer with a controlled hydrophilic/hydrophobic arm ratio. Polym J (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-024-00911-y

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