Catechol-functionalized sulfobetaine polymer for uniform zwitterionization via pH transition approach

Hoang Linh Bui; Sheng-Di Huang; Bruce P Lee; Ming-Ying Lan; Chun-Jen Huang

doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112879

Catechol-functionalized sulfobetaine polymer for uniform zwitterionization via pH transition approach

Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces. 2022 Dec:220:112879. doi: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112879. Epub 2022 Sep 26.

Authors

Hoang Linh Bui¹, Sheng-Di Huang², Bruce P Lee³, Ming-Ying Lan⁴, Chun-Jen Huang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan.
² Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan.
³ Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA.
⁴ Division of Rhinology, Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan. Electronic address: mingyinglan@gmail.com.
⁵ Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, National Central University, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan; R&D Center for Membrane Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan; NCU-Covestro Research Center, National Central University, Jhong-Li, Taoyuan 32023, Taiwan. Electronic address: cjhuang@ncu.edu.tw.

PMID: 36215898
DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112879

Abstract

The study aims to develop a modification strategy to facilitate uniform catechol-assisted zwitterionization on nitinol alloy for bio-compatibility and fouling resistance. Catechol-functionalized polysulfobetaine methacrylate (pSBMA/DA) is synthesized via dopamine-initiated photo-polymerization. Under UV irradiation, semiquinone radicals from dopamine (DA) can be generated, and prevented loss of one electron to intramolecular cyclization and intermolecular dimerization in a solution at pH 2. Pseudo-first-order polymerization kinetics, and relations of apparent rate constant and number average molecular weight with the molar ratio of DA in photopolymerization for pSBMA/DA are unveiled. In a solution at pH 3, PSBMA/DA begins aggregation, kept catechol moieties from premature oxidization, and enabled even deposition on the nitinol substrate. After pH regulation to 8.5, pSBMA/DA extends, and concurrently catechol moieties are activated to interact with the nitinol surface via the formation of bidentate binding. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealed that a shorter pSBMA/DA chain with higher catechol content provides more anchoring sites to enhance zwitterionic moieties coverage on substrates. Interestingly, atomic force microscopy (AFM) images revealed a smooth and uniform deposition of pSBMA/DA using the pH-transition method. Strong ionic hydration of pSBMA/DA coating on nitinol surface repels non-specific adsorption of bio-foulants, permitting excellent antifouling properties. Zwitterion-modified nitinol achieved a reduction rate of 99.9% against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus attachment. In addition, pSBMA/DA exhibits a robust antifouling performance to NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts in culture media after incubation for 24 h. Overall, the pSBMA/DA coating via pH transition approach opens up a promising strategy to facilitate uniform surface functionalization for antifouling and coating technology.

Keywords: Antifouling property; Dopamine-initiated photopolymerization; Medical adhesive; Metal−catechol complexation; PH transition.

MeSH terms

Animals
Catechols / metabolism
Dopamine* / chemistry
Escherichia coli / metabolism
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Mice
Polymers* / chemistry

Substances

sulfobetaine
Polymers
nitinol
Dopamine
catechol
Catechols