Interfacial properties of hydrophilized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) layers with various thicknesses

Biodegradable polyesters such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) copolymers (PLGA) are preferred materials for drug carrier systems although their surface hydrophobicity greatly limits their use in controlled drug delivery. PLGA thin films on a solid support blended with PEG-containing compound (Pluronic) were used as model systems to study the interfacial interactions with aqueous media. Degree of surface hydrophilization was assessed by wettability, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Protein adsorption behavior was investigated by in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry. The degree of protein adsorption showed a good correlation with the hydrophilicity, and surface composition. Unexpectedly, the layer thickness was found to have a great impact on the interfacial characteristics of the polymer films in the investigated regime (20-200 nm). Thick layers presented higher hydrophilicity and great resistance to protein adsorption. That special behavior was explained as the result of the swelling of the polymer film combined with the partial dissolution of Pluronic from the layer. This finding might promote the rational design of surface modified biocompatible nanoparticles.     

Self-assembly of focal point oligo-catechol ethylene glycol dendrons on titanium oxide surfaces: adsorption kinetics, surface characterization, and nonfouling properties

This work covers the synthesis of second-generation, ethylene glycol dendrons covalently linked to a surface anchor that contains two, three, or four catechol groups, the molecular assembly in aqueous buffer on titanium oxide surfaces, and the evaluation of the resistance of the monomolecular adlayers against nonspecific protein adsorption in contact with full blood serum. The results were compared to those of a linear poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) analogue with the same molecular weight. The adsorption kinetics as well as resulting surface coverages were monitored by ex situ spectroscopic ellipsometry (VASE), in situ optical waveguide lightmode spectroscopy (OWLS), and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) investigations. The expected compositions of the macromolecular films were verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results of the adsorption study, performed in a high ionic strength ("cloud-point") buffer at room temperature, demonstrate that the adsorption kinetics increase with increasing number of catechol binding moieties and exceed the values found for the linear PEG analogue. This is attributed to the comparatively smaller and more confined molecular volume of the dendritic macromolecules in solution, the improved presentation of the catechol anchor, and/or their much lower cloud-point in the chosen buffer (close to room temperature). Interestingly, in terms of mechanistic aspects of "nonfouling" surface properties, the dendron films were found to be much stiffer and considerably less hydrated in comparison to the linear PEG brush surface, closer in their physicochemical properties to oligo(ethylene glycol) alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers than to conventional brush surfaces. Despite these differences, both types of polymer architectures at saturation coverage proved to be highly resistant toward protein adsorption. Although associated with higher synthesis costs, dendritic macromolecules are considered to be an attractive alternative to linear polymers for surface (bio)functionalization in view of their spontaneous formation of ultrathin, confluent, and nonfouling monolayers at room temperature and their outstanding ability to present functional ligands (coupled to the termini of the dendritic structure) at high surface densities.     

Surface properties and swelling behaviour of hyperbranched polyester films in aqueous media

Thin films of hydroxyl (POH) and carboxyl (PCOOH) terminated aromatic hyperbranched polyesters (HBPs) were prepared by spin coating on silicon wafers and subsequently annealed above their glass transition temperature (T_g). The surface properties and the swelling behaviour of these films in aqueous buffer solutions were studied as a function of annealing time using contact angle measurements and ellipsometry. Non-annealed films were hydrophilic with surface free energies of 51 mJ/m² for POH and 49 mJ/m² for PCOOH, respectively. The swelling behaviour of the polymer films in buffer solution with pH 7.4 was described in terms of changes of the thickness and effective refractive index of the swollen layer. Under identical conditions a lower water uptake was found for hydroxyl terminated HBPs (POH) which were annealed more then 2 h. The lower water uptake correlates with the surface properties of the films. The annealed films were less hydrophilic. Their surface free energy was 38 mJ/m² independent of the annealing. Films of carboxyl terminated HBPs (PCOOH) showed similar surface properties after annealing. However, these films were unstable under the same conditions in aqueous solutions. Stable PCOOH films were obtained by additional covalent binding to the substrate using an epoxy silane as a coupling agent.     

Surface activity of new invertible amphiphilic polyesters based on poly(ethylene glycol) and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids

The surface active properties of aqueous solutions of invertible amphiphilic alternated polyesters differing by hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) and molecular weight have been determined over the wide concentration range. The polyesters are based on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) of two molecular weights and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (decanedioic and dodecanedioic). The surface activity of the polyesters and their ability to form micellar assemblies (which was recently shown for organic solvents) has been confirmed in water. The central role of the balance of hydrophilic to hydrophobic groups ratio in the formation of polymeric arrangements having hydrophobic pockets and external hydrophilic shell has been shown. The effect of molecular weight has been found considerable as well. Two changes in slope have been observed for the more hydrophobic polyesters in the surface tension vs log concentration curve. The change at low concentration is believed to originate from the formation of polyester assemblies with a hydrophobic interior and hydrophilic exterior due to the interaction of hydrophobic fragments and macromolecular flexibility. The higher concentration region exhibits behavior consistent with a cmc, which was confirmed by additional dye solubilization experiments. Molecular structure of the polyester micelles is determined by the solubilization of a solvatochromic dye. The experiment confirmed that micellization of polyesters is accompanied by the association of more hydrophobic (aliphatic) constituents forming the micelle interior. The hydrophilic fragments (ethylene oxide groups) are involved in the formation of micelle exterior.     

开环可控聚合制备脂肪族聚酯的最新研究进展

近年来,作为生物降解高分子材料,脂肪族聚酯由于良好的生物降解性及生物相容性受到人们的广泛关注。脂肪族聚酯在环境友好材料和生物医用材料领域都具有极大的应用价值,目前,部分聚酯材料已经商品化。与此同时,脂肪族聚酯的合成方法尤其是活性开环聚合也成为学术界及工业领域的研究热点。采用开环聚合法得到的聚合产物化学组成精确、分子量分...     

Colloid probe AFM investigation of interactions between fibrinogen and PEG-like plasma polymer surfaces

Interaction forces between surfaces designed to be protein resistant and fibrinogen (Fg) were investigated in phosphate-buffered saline with colloid probe atomic force microscopy. The surfaces of the silica probes were coated with a layer of fibrinogen molecules by adsorption from the buffer. The technique of low-power, pulsed AC plasma polymerization was used to make poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-like coatings on poly(ethylene teraphthalate) by using diethylene glycol vinyl ether as the monomer gas. The degree of PEG-like nature of the films was controlled by use of a different effective plasma power in the chamber for each coating, ranging from 0.6 to 3.6 W. This produced a series of thin films with a different number of ether carbons, as assessed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The interaction force measurements are discussed in relation to trends observed in the reduction of fibrinogen adsorption, as determined quantitatively by (125)I radio-labeling. The plasma polymer coatings with the greatest protein-repelling properties were the most PEG-like in nature and showed the strongest repulsion in interaction force measurements with the fibrinogen-coated probe. Once forced into contact, all the surfaces showed increased adhesion with the protein layer on the probe, and the strength and extension length of adhesion was dependent on both the applied load and the plasma polymer surface chemistry. When the medium was changed from buffer to water, the adhesion after contact was eliminated and only appeared at much higher loads. This indicates that the structure of the fibrinogen molecules on the probe is changed from an extended conformation in buffer to a flat conformation in water, with the former state allowing for stronger interaction with the polymer chains on the surface. These experiments underline the utility of aqueous surface force measurements toward understanding protein-surface interactions, and developing nonfouling surfaces that confer a steric barrier against protein adsorption.     

PEG- and peptide-grafted aliphatic polyesters by click chemistry

Novel aliphatic polyesters with pendent acetylene groups were prepared by controlled ring-opening polymerization and subsequently used for grafting poly(ethylene glycol) and oligopeptide moieties by the Cu(I)-catalyzed addition of azides and alkynes, a type of "click" chemistry. These aliphatic polyesters possess an acetylene graft density that can be tailored by ring-opening copolymerization of alpha-propargyl-delta-valerolactone (1) with epsilon-caprolactone. Since the mild conditions associated with the click reaction are shown to be compatible with the polyester backbone, this method is a generally useful means for grafting numerous types of functionality onto aliphatic polyesters. The amphiphilic graft polyesters prepared in this study are shown to be biocompatible by in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation, suggesting their suitability for a range of biomaterial applications.     

In-situ investigations on the SILAR-growth of ZnS films as studied by tapping mode atomic force microscopy

Tapping mode atomic force microscopy (TM-AFM) has been successfully used for in-situ imaging of the deposition of ZnS films with the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The films were deposited in-situ using the commercial TM-AFM liquid cell as a flow-through reactor. The potential of TM-AFM has been used to study the growth of ZnS on different substrates up to 50 SILAR cycles. Reactants and rinsing water were alternately exchanged in the cell by a computer controlled valve system. In comparison to earlier work performed with the conventional AFM operated in contact mode, imaging artefacts introduced by lateral shear forces can be largely eliminated with TM-AFM. On glass the roughness is observed to decrease initially until typical island formation takes place at a larger number of deposition cycles. On mica island formation can be observed right from the beginning of the process and the roughness increases with increasing number of deposition cycles.     

Biodegradable network elastomeric polyesters from multifunctional aliphatic carboxylic acids and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) diols

Biodegradable elastomeric network polyesters were prepared from multifunctional aliphatic carboxylic acids such as tricarballylic acid (Yt) or meso-1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (Xb) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) diols with molecular weights of 530, 1,250 and 2,000 g.mol-1. Prepolymers prepared by a melt polycondensation were cast from DMF solution and postpolymerized at 280 degrees C for various periods of times to form a network. The resultant films were transparent, flexible and insoluble in organic solvents. The network polyesters obtained were characterized by IR absorption spectra, WAXS, density measurement, DSC, and tensile test. YtPCL1250, and XbPCL1250 network polyester films showed good elastomeric properties with high ultimate elongation (540-590%), and low Young's modulus (2.5-3.3 MPa). The enzymatic degradation was estimated by the weight loss of network films in a buffer solution with Rhizopus delemar lipase at 37 degrees C. The degree and rate of degradation were significantly affected by the molecular weight of PCL diol, chemical structures of multifunctional aliphatic carboxylic acids and the morphology of network films. The changes in the solid states of network films during the degradation were also estimated by the results of DSC and WAXS. [see text]     

In-situ infrared spectroscopic studies of adsorption processes on boehmite particle films: exchange of surface hydroxyl groups observed upon chelation by acetylacetone

Adsorption processes on poorly crystalline boehmite (PCB) particle films have been studied using attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy. This method allows the in-situ investigation of wet surface chemical processes. Thin films of aggregated particles of PCB that are stable between pH 4 and 11 have been prepared by drying aqueous PCB dispersions. Carbonate adsorbs to the PCB films during the film formation process but can be removed without impact on the film by washing with alkali at pH 10. The adsorption of acetylacetone (acac) to the surface of PCB has been studied at the solid/liquid and solid/gas interfaces. The concomitant changes in the OH deformations of hydroxyl groups present on the surface has been observed. The IR absorption of surface hydroxyl groups involved in adsorption of a bidentate chelating ligand have been spectroscopically isolated through their interaction with acac.     

Adsorbed Layers of Ferritin at Solid and Fluid Interfaces Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy

The adsorption of the iron storage protein ferritin was studied by liquid tapping mode atomic force microscopy in order to obtain molecular resolution in the adsorbed layer within the aqueous environment in which the adsorption was carried out. The surface coverage and the structure of the adsorbed layer were investigated as functions of ionic strength and pH on two different charged surfaces, namely chemically modified glass slides and mixed surfactant films at the air-water interface, which were transferred to graphite substrates after adsorption. Surface coverage trends with both ionic strength and pH indicate the dominance of electrostatic effects, with the balance shifting between intermolecular repulsion and protein-surface attraction. The resulting behavior is more complex than that seen for larger colloidal particles, which appear to follow a modified random sequential adsorption model monotonically. The structure of the adsorbed layers at the solid surfaces is random, but some indication of long-range order is apparent at fluid interfaces, presumably due to the higher protein mobility at the fluid interface. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Cyclizations in hyperbranched aliphatic polyesters and polyamides

Hyperbranched aliphatic polyesters of 2,2′-bis-(hydroxymethyl) propanoic acid and hyperbranched aliphatic polyamides obtained from new carboxy- and amino-functionalized caprolactams were studied by NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Ring-chain equilibria taking place through intramolecular hydroxy-ester, carboxy-amide or amine-amide interchanges and leading to the formation of cyclic branches or end-groups were found to exert a predominant influence on the molar mass of these hyperbranched polymers. A number of intra- or intermolecular side reactions, such as the formation of ethers in polyesters and the formation of anhydrides, imides, amidines and secondary amines in polyamides were also detected and resulted in polymer crosslinking on prolonged heating. The existence of such ring-chain equilibria and side-reactions make the control of hyperbranched polymer structure much more difficult than generally accepted.     

Mechanism and kinetics of the enzymatic hydrolysis of polyester nanoparticles by lipases

The degradation of several aliphatic and aromatic polyesters with lipases from Candida cylindracea (CcL) and Pseudomonas species (PsL) was investigated applying nanoparticles of the polymers. Nanoparticles (diameters 50 nm to 250 nm) of a particle concentration up to 6 mg/ml could be prepared by a precipitation technique without adding any stabilizing agents in the aqueous solutions. Using a titration system to monitor ester cleavage, enzymatic degradation experiments could be performed in the time scale of some minutes. A kinetic model is proposed which is based on a surface erosion process dependent on molar ester bond density and enzyme loading. Experimental evidence provided that degradation of the particles occurs uniformly at the surface after a Langmuir type adsorption of the enzyme. Rate constants and the maximal enzyme loadings of enzyme were estimated from the kinetic model for different polyesters and the rate constants correlate well with the length of the diacid component of the polyester. Comparison of degradation rates of polyester films and nanoparticles revealed that nanoparticles of aliphatic polyesters are in the amorphous state. Hence, differences of the rate constants reflect the direct influence of the polymer structure on the enzymatic hydrolysis not overlaid by effects of crystallinity.     

Adsorption and redox processes at carbon nanofiber electrodes grown onto a ceramic fiber backbone

The adsorption of aromatic compounds onto activated carbons and carbon nanofibers is of considerable technical importance and beneficial in electroanalytical procedures. Here, effects due to the strong adsorption of hydroquinone, benzoquinone, and phenol onto carbon nanofiber electrodes immersed in aqueous media are reported. Carbon nanofiber materials (fiber diameter approximately 100 nm) are grown onto ceramic fiber substrates by employing an ambient pressure chemical vapour deposition process. The resulting composite electrode material is sufficiently electrically conducting due to the high carbon content and mechanically robust due to the ceramic backbone. It is shown that the voltammetric signal obtained for the one electron reduction of Ru(NH₃)₆³⁺ is dominated by solution trapped in the three-dimensional electrode structure. In contrast, for the hydroquinone/benzoquinone redox system in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7) strong adsorption onto the carbon nanofiber material is observed. In the presence of phenol also strong adsorption is detected. In the course of the chemically irreversible oxidation of phenol in aqueous phosphate buffer (pH 7), the formation of multi-electron oxidation products related to benzoquinone is observed. The pathway for the oxidation process is attributed to (i) the high surface area of the carbon nanofiber electrode and (ii) the adsorption of intermediates.     

Pattern generation of biological ligands on a biodegradable poly(glycolic acid) film

The micropatterns of biological ligands (biotin and RGD peptides) were generated on a flat surface of biodegradable polymer, poly(glycolic acid) (PGA). The immobilization of biological ligands onto the surface of biodegradable polymers (especially aliphatic polyesters) is usually hampered by the absence of functionalizable groups on the polymer backbone. We demonstrate herein that PGA polymer films were modified by surface hydrolysis to introduce carboxylic acid groups on the film surfaces, which were subsequently used for patterning amine-terminated ligands by microcontact printing. Fluorescence microscopy was used to verify the pattern of biotin on the surface of the PGA films after complexation with fluorescein-conjugated streptavidin. In addition, the cellular micropatterns were obtained from micropatterns of RGD peptides on the surface-hydrolyzed PGA films.     

TiO2 phytate films as hosts and conduits for cytochrome c electrochemistry

Cytochrome c is accumulated into a film of TiO(2) nanoparticles and phytate by adsorption from an aqueous solution into the mesoporous structure. Stable voltammetric responses and high concentrations of redox protein within the TiO(2) phytate layer can be achieved. Two types of electrode systems are reported with (i) the modified TiO(2) phytate film between electrode and aqueous solution phase and (ii) the modified TiO(2) phytate film buried under a porous gold electrode ('porotrode'). The electrical conductivity of TiO(2) phytate films is measured and compared in the dry and in the wet state. Although in the dry state essentially insulating, the TiO(2) phytate film turns into an electrical conductor (with approximately 4 Omega cm specific resistivity assuming ohmic behaviour) when immersed in aqueous 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution at pH 7. The redox protein cytochrome c is therefore directly connected to the electrode via diffusion and migration of electrons in the three dimensional mesoporous TiO(2) phytate host structure. Electron transfer from cytochrome c to TiO(2) is proposed to be the rate-determining step for this conduction mechanism.     

Effect of pH and applied potential on the adsorption of DNA on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite electrodes. Atomic force microscopy surface characterisation

Single-stranded and double-stranded DNA electrochemical biosensors prepared by adsorption during 3 min on HOPG, with or without an applied potential, at pH 5.3 and 7.0, were characterised by MAC mode AFM. During adsorption DNA condenses on the substrate forming complex network films with pores exposing the HOPG surface. The thin films formed in pH 5.3 acetate buffer always presented a better coverage of the HOPG surface with DNA molecules than films formed in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. The application of a positive potential of 300 mV during adsorption enhanced the robustness and stability of the DNA films with the formation of bigger network holes and a more condensed and compact self-assembled DNA lattice. The knowledge of the morphology of adsorbed DNA on electrode surfaces explains non-specific adsorption on the electrode surface and can be used to improve and develop DNA-electrochemical biosensors.     

Adsorption of compounds with the skeleton molecular structure from dimethylsulfoxide solutions on mercury electrode

The adsorption of adamantane (Ad), adamantanol (AdOH), thiocamphor (TC), and a supramolecular complex (cryptate) of sodium ion [Na⁺ ⊂ 2.2.2.] from DMSO solutions on the mercury electrode is studied by the differential capacitance method. In the considered systems, the surfactants exhibit the high surface activity, which manifests itself in different ways depending on the potential scan direction. For AdOH, TC, and [Na⁺ ⊂ 2.2.2.] that have either a dipole moment or an electrostatic charge, it is assumed that the important role is played by the adsorbate-solvent interaction at the interface, which can be the key factor determining the formation of a new adsorption layer structure in the positive potential range. The adsorption behavior of the mentioned group of surfactants radically differs from that of Ad hydrocarbon, namely, the adsorption of the latter is not accompanied by the formation of a new adsorption layer structure. The obtained results suggest that for the adsorption of surfactants from nonaqueous solvents (in contrast to aqueous solutions), the interaction between the adsorbate and the solvent molecules, which under certain condition results in the formation of two-dimensional supramolecular structures at the electrode/solution interface, acquires substantial importance.     

Comparative electrochemical study of self-assembly of octanethiol from aqueous and aqueous ethanol solutions on a gold electrode

The self-assembly of octanethiol (OT) on the surface of a polycrystalline gold electrode in aqueous and aqueous ethanol thiol-containing (1 × 10^–4 М) 0.1 М NaClO₄ solutions was studied. The blocking properties and electrochemical stability of monolayer OT films were studied by chronopotentiometry during OT adsorption under the open circuit conditions (chronoamperometry at a fixed potential) combined with cyclic voltammetry for modified Au/OT electrodes. It was found from the change in the rate of electrochemical reactions in the range of monolayer stability potentials that in aqueous media, compact insulating OT monolayer films formed at a open circuit potential within ~100 s, and the shift of the adsorption potential toward negative values (to–0.6 V) allowed a considerable decrease in the monolayer self-assembly time. The potential shift toward higher negative values (–0.9 V) leads to a removal of OT from the electrode surface during the reductive desorption, with a multipeak current signal recorded on the voltammograms. A transition from aqueous to aqueous ethanol solutions accelerated the formation of an insulating OT monolayer (≈6 s) and led to a change in the shape of the desorption current peak, whose value was almost independent of the ОТ accumulation time and potential.