Anti-fouling Medical and Marine Coatings Prepared with Amphiphilic PEG-Silanes

摘要

Hydrophobic polymers such as silicones exhibit poor protein resistance which diminishes their performance in blood-contacting device coatings and marine coatings. On medical devices, adsorption of plasma proteins initiates platelet adhesion and ultimately clot formation. On the surfaces of marine vessels, marine organisms secrete diverse bioadhesives to facilitate their attachment and accumulation. Despite their protein adhesive property, silicones are widely used in blood-contacting devices (e.g. hemodialysis catheters) as well as in foul-releasing marine coatings. In contrast to silicones, polyethylene glycol (PEG) exhibits exceptional protein resistance. This property is attributed not only to its high water content but also to its high chain mobility which produces an “exclusion effect”.