Aza‐Michael Addition Chemistry for Tuning the Phase Separation of PDMS/PEG Blend Coatings and Their Anti‐Fouling Potentials

Abstract

Free adjustment of micro/nanophase‐separation degrees in coatings is not easily accessible, which is a big handicap in the development of phase‐separation‐related applications. Here, by utilizing the reactivity difference between two phases, a two‐step aza‐Michael addition pre‐crosslinking strategy, demonstrated by acryloxy‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane/polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend coatings, is proposed for the first time to tune microphase separation degrees, and promote compatibility of the biphasic amphiphilic polymer blends. Followed by a systematic study of the two‐step pre‐crosslinking time, surface morphologies of samples with desired phase‐separation degrees are unveiled using optical microscopy, AFM, and XPS. The wettability, and anti‐fouling properties — for example, anti‐protein and anti‐marine bacterial (Shewanella) adhesion — of these coatings are assessed. Less protein adsorption is observed on those surfaces with lower receding water contact angles. Shewanella adhesion is efficiently discouraged by the introduction of PEG segments, but the trend evolved with surface wettability and micro/nanophase structure in a complex way.

Click Chemistry Hydrogels for Extrusion Bioprinting: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

“…and/or high temperatures (up to 80 °C) are often used to drive the reaction forward. However, slower gelation is still possible under physiological conditions, with a polyamidoamine (PAMAM)/polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels reported to gel after 49 min and PEG-based hydrogels prepared at varying polymer concentrations reported to gel over time scales ranging from 1 h to >1 day . As such, while amine-Michael addition is not suitable for continuous 3D bioprinting, it may be suitable for templated 3D bioprinting processes in which slower gelation times are acceptable.…”

Super‐Hydrophilic Zwitterionic Polymer Surface Modification Facilitates Liquid Transportation of Microfluidic Sweat Sensors

“…The approach by adding hydrophilic fillers generally require high contents of hydrophilic polymers, which may lead to phase separation between the PDMS matrix and filler, resulting in low malleability and processibility, poor fatigue resistance, and weak mechanical toughness of the polymer mixture. [ 44 ] In situ hydrophilic polymer coatings typically lack long‐term stability. [ 45 ] Creating surface microstructures often requires additional fabrication processes and increases the cost of the device.…”

Microstructure and Properties of Poly(ethylene glycol)-Segmented Polyurethane Antifouling Coatings after Immersion in Seawater

“…From the point of view of energy, there is an unstable state with reduced entropy [23], so the PEG chain produces a repulsion effect to avoid the protein approaching ( Figure 2). At present, anti-protein adsorption materials are mainly used in medicine [24,25] and rarely in marine antifouling [26][27][28]. Francolini et al [25] synthesized poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted segmented polyurethane and characterized it.…”

“…At present, anti-protein adsorption materials are mainly used in medicine [ 24 , 25 ] and rarely in marine antifouling [ 26 , 27 , 28 ]. Francolini et al [ 25 ] synthesized poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted segmented polyurethane and characterized it.…”

“…Compared with steel, the synthesized silicone coating comprising PEG could reduce fouling growth and adhesion. Gu et al [ 28 ] first proposed an acryloxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane/polyethylene glycol (PEG) blend coating. The study showed that shewanella adhesion is efficiently discouraged by the introduction of PEG segments.…”