Self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(alkyl phosphonate) terpolymers on titanium oxide surfaces: synthesis, interface characterization, investigation of nonfouling properties, and long-term stability

Langmuir. 2010 Jan 5;26(1):74-82. doi: 10.1021/la902110j.

Abstract

This contribution deals with the self-assembling of a terpolymer on titanium oxide (TiO(2)) surface. The polymer structure was obtained by polymerization of different methacrylates, i.e., alkyl-phosphonated, butyl and PEG methacrylate, in the presence of a chain transfer agent. The resulting PEG-poly(alkyl phosphonate) material, characterized mainly by SEC and NMR, self-organized at the interface of TiO(2). AR-XPS demonstrated the binding of phosphonate groups to TiO(2) substrate and the formation of a PEG-brush layer at the outermost part of the system. The stability of this terpolymer adlayer, after exposure to solutions of pH 2, 7.4, and 9 up to 3 weeks, was evaluated quantitatively by XPS and ellipsometry. We demonstrated an overall stability improvements of this coating against desorption in contact with aqueous solutions in comparison with reference self-assembly systems. Finally, the PEG-terpolymer adlayer proved to impart to TiO(2) substrate antifouling properties when exposed to full blood serum.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Buffers
  • Darkness
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Molecular Weight
  • Organophosphonates / chemistry*
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Photochemical Processes
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemical synthesis
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Proteins / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Time Factors
  • Titanium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Buffers
  • Organophosphonates
  • Proteins
  • titanium dioxide
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • Titanium