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Poly[oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) methacrylate] as a surface modifier for bioinertness

Polymer Journal volume 53, pages 643–653 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

Surface modification of versatile polymeric materials without changing their bulk properties is one of the essential techniques for regulating their physical and chemical characteristics, and this technique can improve the functions of materials. In this study, a bottlebrush-type poly[oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) methacrylate] (P[O(Ox)nMA]) (n = 7 and 19) was synthesized as a surface modifier. This compound was mixed into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as a matrix (PMMA/P[O(Ox)nMA]) with a weight ratio of 15%, and the aggregation state in the surface region was examined under air and aqueous environments via atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurement, angular-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and neutron reflectivity. The surface of the PMMA/P[O(Ox)nMA] films was flat at the subnanometer level and covered with the PMMA-rich phase. However, once the films contacted water, the surface was reorganized due to the migration of P[O(Ox)nMA]. The extent of the surface segregation was more remarkable for P[O(Ox)7MA] than P[O(Ox)19MA] due to the entropic factor. Concurrently, NIH3T3 fibroblast adhesion and serum protein adsorption on the film were more strongly suppressed for P[O(Ox)7MA] than P[O(Ox)19MA] because it formed a thicker diffused interface in the film with water.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for support from the JST-Mirai Program (JPMJMI18A2) (KT), JSPS KAKENHI Grant-in-Aids for Scientific Research (B) (JP20H02790) (KT) and (B) (JP18H02037) (HM), and for Early-Career Scientists (JP18K16990) (MT). The NR measurements were approved by the Neutron Scattering Program Advisory Committee of IMSS, KEK with Proposal Nos. 2018B0287, 2019A0255, 2019B0269, 2019B0365, 2020A0272, and 2017L2501.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    Jin-Hyeok Hong, Masayasu Totani, Daisuke Kawaguchi, Hisao Matsuno & Keiji Tanaka

  2. Center for Polymer Interface and Molecular Adhesion Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    Daisuke Kawaguchi, Hisao Matsuno & Keiji Tanaka

  3. High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan

    Norifumi L. Yamada

  4. International Institute for Carbon-Neutral Energy Research (WPI-I2CNER), Kyushu University, Fukuoka, 819-0395, Japan

    Hisao Matsuno & Keiji Tanaka

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  1. Jin-Hyeok Hong
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Correspondence to Hisao Matsuno or Keiji Tanaka.

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Hong, JH., Totani, M., Kawaguchi, D. et al. Poly[oligo(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) methacrylate] as a surface modifier for bioinertness. Polym J 53, 643–653 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41428-020-00459-7

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