Tuning the density profile of surface-grafted hyaluronan and the effect of counter-ions

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2013 Jul;36(7):70. doi: 10.1140/epje/i2013-13070-7. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Abstract

The present paper investigates the structure and composition of grafted sodium hyaluronan at a solid-liquid interface using neutron reflection. The solvated polymer at the surface could be described with a density profile that decays exponentially towards the bulk solution. The density profile of the polymer varied depending on the deposition protocol. A single-stage deposition resulted in denser polymer layers, while layers created with a two-stage deposition process were more diffuse and had an overall lower density. Despite the diffuse density profile, two-stage deposition leads to a higher surface excess. Addition of calcium ions causes a strong collapse of the sodium hyaluronan chains, increasing the polymer density near the surface. This effect is more pronounced on the sample prepared by two-stage deposition due to the initial less dense profile. This study provides an understanding at a molecular level of how surface functionalization alters the structure and how surface layers respond to changes in calcium ions in the solvent.

MeSH terms

  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Hyaluronic Acid / chemistry*
  • Neutron Diffraction
  • Polymers / chemical synthesis
  • Polymers / chemistry*
  • Scattering, Small Angle
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Solvents / chemistry
  • Specific Gravity

Substances

  • Polymers
  • Solvents
  • Hyaluronic Acid
  • Calcium
  • Silicon